Daniel Efe/Port Harcourt
Governor Dickson of Bayelsa State, Hon Seriake Dickson on Thursday identified the politicisation of crime and criminality as the bane of security in the Niger Delta and the country as a whole.
In a press statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Francis Ottah Agbo, the Governor stated this, while granting audience to the new Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Mr Rasheed Akintunde, who paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
Hon Dickson, who stressed the primacy of peace and security in national development, said his administration would soon launch a crackdown on those who sponsor criminal activities under the guise of politics.
According to the Governor, machinery has already been put in place to expose and shame such sponsors, who are hell-bent on destroying the successes the state government has recorded, particularly in the area of security in the last six years.
While assuring the security agencies of the government’s continued support, he called on the new AIG to show courage in fighting against the politicisation of criminal activities in the region.
His words, “We call for selfless dedication and commitment to apolitical security measures. If a crime occurs in any community or local government, it should be treated purely as a crime.
We don’t believe that crime and criminality has any political affiliation.
“Some of the challenges are mostly from some people who feel they belong to one political party or the other which confers immunity on them. So, they go about carrying arms to overrun communities creating insecurity.
“In this state, we don’t play politics with security. So, I call on the AIG to ask and demand from all your men and officers. We have set up a machinery in motion and very soon, we will bring those sponsoring them to book.
“If you see people committing crimes, take law enforcement action. If people think they can commit crime and go scot-free, then you have created an encouragement to disrespect our men and women in uniform”
Speaking earlier, the new Assistant Inspector General of Zone 5, Mr Rasheed Akintunde said he was in the state as part of a familiarisation tour of states that fall into his span of control.
Mr Akintunde, who expressed appreciation to Governor Dickson for supporting the Nigeria Police, noted that, reports at his disposal speak volumes of the security friendliness of the Governor.
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While pledging his commitment to strengthening the fight against insecurity in the zone, the AIG pointed out that, the visit would provide him firsthand information on the security situation of the state.