BAYELSA The state government has stated that it will soon re-launch its security unit, codenamed “Operation Doo- Akpo,” to supplement the efforts of other security agencies in maintaining law and order in the state.
Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the State Deputy Governor, announced this during a meeting with traditional rulers from Yenagoa Local Government Area in Yenagoa.
While emphasizing the importance of traditional rulers remaining vigilant and in charge of security in their domains, Ewhrudjakpo reminded them of acts of banditry and wanton destruction of lives and property in other parts of the country.
His words: “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. “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 7 p.m., except on special duty. We will then activate the Marine Police.”
He explained that youths in the communities would also be involved in the security arrangement where there would be a collaboration with the paramount rulers and the Community Development Committees to prevent criminals from infiltrating villages to perpetrate crime.
Ewhrudjakpo expressed displeasure at 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.
“They have bred, fed, and raised monsters. But I can assure you that things are gradually changing. They will be dealt with within the confines of our laws, and this place will be too hot for them. “They must change now or leave the state,” he warned. Responding to claims that the government had always been involved in the signing of Global Memorandums of Understanding (GMOU) in the area, Ewhrudjakpo stated that the implementation had always been shrouded in secrecy, making government supervision difficult.
According to him: Government wants to be directly involved in the preparation, signing and supervision of GMOUs between corporate organizations and communities to protect the interest of the people.
He charged the traditional rulers with assisting in the protection of oil facilities and other government infrastructure in their respective domains, as the revenue accruing to the state is primarily determined by the volume of crude oil produced in the state.
