Bayelsa State Government says it will soon relaunch its security outfit, codenamed,” Operation Doo-Akpo”, to complement the efforts of other security agencies in the maintenance of law and order in the state.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made this known at a meeting with traditional rulers from Yenagoa Local Government Area in Government House, Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, restated the need for traditional rulers to be vigilant and take charge of security in their domains.
Reminding them of the acts of banditry and wanton destruction of lives and property in other parts of the country, he however, assured that government was working hard to strengthen the security architecture of the state to make it more effective and efficient.
“We are trying to revamp Doo-Akpo. In the next couple of months, it will be back to its usual capacity of responding to distress calls promptly. They are being equipped”, he said.
“In terms of maritime security, we are not leaving anything to chance. Very soon, we will work with the House of Assembly to get a law on maritime curfew, so that no speed boats will move at 7pm, except on special duty. We will then activate the Marine Police”, he added.
He further explained that youths in the communities would also be involved in the security arrangement, where there would be collaboration with the paramount rulers and the Community Development Committees to prevent criminals from infiltrating villages to perpetrate crime.
The Deputy Governor also expressed displeasure over what he termed politicisation of security issues in the State since 2015, by some people who claim to be connected to higher authorities in the country.
Responding to the concern raised by the Ebenibe of Atissa Kingdom, King Godwin Igodo, he maintained that the new security structure would enable traditional rulers to have direct access to the Special Adviser on Security to fight crimes in their communities.
“There has been politicisation of security issues since 2015 in this state. And the Government that has exclusive control over security has refused to rise to the occasion of insecurity in the name of politics.
“They have nurtured, fed and grown monsters. But I can assure you that things are changing gradually. Within the confines of our laws, they will be tackled and this place will be too hot for them. It’s better for them to change now or they leave the state”, he restated.
Also responding to claims that government had always been part of signing of Global Memoranda of Understanding (GMoU) in the area, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, pointed out that the implementation had always been shrouded in secrecy, thereby making supervision by government difficult.
According to him, government wants to be directly involved in the preparation, signing and supervision of GMoUs between corporate organisations and communities to protect the interest of the people.

By: AriweraIbibo-Howells, Yenagoa.