Diri Warns Criminals To Steer Clear Of Bayelsa …Signs Community Safety Corps Bill Into Law 

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has warned criminal elements to henceforth steer clear of the state.
Diri gave the warning during the re-launch of the state security outfit code-named ‘Operation Doo-Akpo’.
The Bayelsa State number one citizen also commissioned 50 brand new operational vehicles, 40 motorbikes and security gadgets, just as he also signed into law the state’s Community Safety Corps Bill passed by the state House of Assembly recently.
The Tide gathered that the new law streamlines operations of the state security outfit, ’Operation Doo-Akpo’, and the special outfits (Bayelsa Volunteers and the Bayelsa Vigilante) under one umbrella.
Speaking during the re-launch event in Yenagoa, the Governor noted that the exercise was to rejig the security architecture of the state to make it more efficient and effective in crime fighting.
He said the operations of the state security outfit was not to usurp the functions of the conventional security agencies but to support and collaborate with them in efforts to rid the state of criminals.
While acknowledging the enormous resources used to procure the assets, Diri said the priority of his administration is to ensure the prosperity of all, which cannot be achieved without security of lives and property.
He described crime fighting as a collective effort, while  appealing to security agencies to conceal the identity of informants to encourage people to report criminal activities, just as he also appealed to Bayelsans to provide information to the security agencies that would lead to more effective crime fighting.
The Bayelsa helmsman thanked security agencies for their role in ensuring the relative peace in the state, appreciating his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, for establishing the Operation Doo-Akpo in 2012, which he said has over the years assisted in combating crime.
”I have just signed the Community Safety Corps Bill into law. This is intended to complement the work of the constitutional recognised security agencies. The law also harmonises the special security outfits of the state under one umbrella. This means that henceforth ‘Operation Doo-Akpo’, Bayelsa Volunteers and the Bayelsa Vigilante will operate under one umbrella”, he said.
“In  line with our Action Plan for security, we have made progress in changing the mindset of our operatives, enhanced intelligence gathering, reinforced our alertness and increased mobility and response time. After comprehensively and holistically evaluating the situation, we have made informed and tailored decisions, allowing us to re-engage Doo-Akpo even more effectively, strengthening performance and guaranteeing the safety and security of our people. Improving responsiveness also requires that we have the requisite equipment and assets.
“Consequently, it gives me great joy to re-launch Operation Doo-Akpo. Necessarily, the programme has been resigned, redesigned and refreshed to be more responsive and responsible in carrying out its duties.
“In this first phase, I am commissioning for immediate deployment 50 brand new Hilux patrol vehicles, a new state-wide command-and-control system based on Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Technology, 40 brand new motorcycles and a K-9-unit”, Governor Diri added.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, CP Agberebi Akpoebi (rtd), noted that the outfit had assisted in combating crime in the state, making it one of the safest states in the South- South geopolitical zone.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa