Dickson: I will not play politics with Bayelsa security

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

Mr. Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State, yon Saturday vowed not to play partisan politics with the handling of security issues bedevilling the state.

Dickson, who spoke when the top echelon of the police force in the state,led by Commissioner of Police, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, paid him a visit, assured the Command of government’s full support in its efforts to rid the state of all forms of crime.

While tasking the Police to flush out criminals in the state, Governor Dickson urged officers and men of the force to be impartial in the discharge of their official and lawful duties.

He noted that though the level of crime has reduced in the state, the security challenges in the maritime sector remains, stressing that the force should enforce an all-out battle against pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering and cultism.

“My government does not play politics with crime and criminality. The Government will give its support to the police to fight crime. Let me warn those who reside outside the state sponsoring and fermenting crime to feather their nest that government will not condone such acts.

“Government takes very seriously the importance of keeping Bayelsa safe from all forms of crime as nobody will be allowed to disturb the peace by carrying arms to terrorize any part of the state”,he said.

Ogunjemilusi, in his remarks, solicited the state government’s support in the provision of a shooting range for the Command and a befitting building for the state police command headquarters.

The CP also disclosed that the Command had inaugurated an eminent persons forum to boost the relationship between the police and the members of the public to enhance the fight against crime.

The State Police Commissioner stated that the command will create a strike force whose duty will be to nip in the bud, acts of militancy, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

He also commended the state government’s assistance in the repairs of two gunboats that would boost the fight against oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the creeks.