ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Worried by the incessant cases of kidnapping of residents and other criminal activities, some monarchs in Bayelsa State have demanded the establishment of police posts and military checkpoints in their domains.
The monarchs made the request during a security meeting with state government officials including Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and service commanders in Yenagoa, the state capital.
In their separate remarks, the monarchs of Kolokuma and Opokuma Kingdoms, King Mozi Onya Agara and King Collins Aranka, commended the state government for giving traditional rulers a sense of belonging in the governance of the state.
King Aranka, however, decried the total absence of police presence in the entire Opokuma clan and requested the urgent establishment of a police post in the area.
Also speaking, the Amananaowei of Sabagreia community, His Royal Highness, Sir Boukumo Orukari, appealed to the government and the security agencies to establish a military checkpoint along the Igbedi Creek, which he identified as a notorious route for kidnapping.
On their part, the Ibenanaowei of Gbarain Kingdom, King Funpere Akah, and the Obenibe of Epie, King Malla Sasime, called for effective implementation of the state anti-cultism law to ensure the prosecution of arrested cultists and criminals.
The Commissioner of Police, Echeng E. Echeng, explained the dangers of harbouring criminals and urged the traditional rulers to always avail the police and other sister security agencies with timely and actionable intelligence.