ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has solicited the support of the non-indigenes resident in the state to join forces with the government to fight against kidnapping, cult activities and other criminal activities.
The governor made the request on Thursday at an interactive meeting with representatives of various non-indigenous associations in Government House, Yenagoa.
Diri, represented by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, identified the protection of lives and property as the most important duty of any government.
He assured the people that his administration would continue to prioritise security issues in the state.
Diri, however, emphasised the need for everybody to contribute towards making Bayelsa a safer place to live in and carry out legitimate socio-economic activities by cooperating with security agencies.
While empathising with families of victims of kidnap and other unwholesome acts of some criminals, Diri called on the non-indigenes to stop the blame game and do what he described as self-cleansing.
According to him, available security statistics indicate that most of the crimes happening in Yenagoa, the state capital, and its environs are being perpetrated by outsiders.
He frowned on the situation where some traders aided and abetted armed robbery and other crimes by buying and selling stolen goods such as phones, electrical accessories and vehicle parts.
Diri also used the opportunity to call on the non-indigenous traders not to carry out their planned shutdown of shops to protest against the recent kidnap of their member.
While promising to look into some of their suggestions, he said the government would soon meet with a select representatives of the non-indigenes to discuss further on how to strengthen security in their homes and business premises.
In their separate contributions, the member, representing Yenagoa Constituency I in the state House of Assembly, Hon Oforji Oboku, Secretary to the State Government, Konbowei Benson and Commissioner of Police, Benjamin Okolo, assured the people that efforts were underway to improve security in the state.
To this end, the Special Adviser on Security Matters, Akpoebi Agberebi (rtd.), informed the people that the state government had already procured new operational vehicles with modern communication gadgets being installed for use by the state owned Doo Akpo security outfit.
Representatives of non-indigenes who spoke at the meeting including the Oba of Yoruba in Bayelsa, HRH Alhaji Olayemi Adesoye, the state Deputy President of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, and a representative of Isoko Community, Chief Ugolo Nathaniel, also commended the government for being proactive by convening the interactive session.
While criticising the indiscriminate use of tinted vehicles and siren in the state, they appealed to the government to prevail on security agencies to intensify efforts towards curbndhgnning kidnapping and other crimes for Bayelsa to remain as one of the safest states in the country.