By Emmanuel Nduka
The Bayelsa State Government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew as part of efforts to check piracy, kidnapping and other criminal activities on its waterways.
The curfew which will run from 7:00pm. to 6:00am, also prohibits the use of 200- horsepower speedboats.
The measures were part of the outcome of the 12th State Security Council Meeting presided over by Governor Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa on Monday evening.
Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the gathering in Yenagoa, the Special Adviser on Security Matters, Akpoebi Agberebi, clarified that henceforth, no permits would be granted to 200-horsepower engines, warning that violators would face the full weight of the law.
While stating that concession would be given to emergency movement during the restriction hours, he advised residents to report perpetrators to the state security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpo, via 07006464644.
The aide also said the council resolved that communities, whose lands have been acquired by the state government, should shun protests, just as he observed that some settlements still parading selves as landlords have been constituting nuisance by taking laws into their hands and depriving other citizens’ freedom of movement.
Governor Diri charged the newly posted Commissioner of Police to the state, Benjamin Okolo to synergise, collaborate and partner with sister security agencies to achieve zero tolerance for crimes.
“Let me welcome our newest member to this council, the Commissioner of Police, Benjamin Okolo. On behalf of members of the state security council, I welcome you to this meeting.
“We believe by your profile, you would add value to the security council, as well as to our state and ensure that crime and criminality are brought to zero level.
“The creed of this council is that we have zero tolerance for crime and criminality. So, we welcome you and believe that you will synergise, collaborate and partner with sister security agencies and with the state government,” the governor charged.
