50 Patrol Vehicles, 40 Motorcycles, Bayelsa Gov Signs Community Safety Corps Bill Into Law

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has warned criminal elements to henceforth stay clear of the State.

Governor Diri gave the warning on Tuesday during the re-launch of the state security outfit code named ‘Operation Doo-Akpo’.

He also commissioned 50 brand new operational vehicles, 40 motorbikes and security gadgets while signing into law the Community Safety Corp Bill to streamline operations of the state security outfits.

The law brings the operations of security outfits such as the Operation Doo-Akpo, Bayelsa Volunteers and Bayelsa Vigilantes under one umbrella.

Speaking at the event at the Peace Park in Yenegoa, Governor Diri noted that the exercise was to reinvigorate the security architecture of the state to make it more efficient and effective in crime fighting.

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According to him, the operations of the state security outfit was not to usurp the functions of the conventional security agencies but to support and collaborate with them in efforts to rid the state criminals.

Describing crime fighting as a collective efforts, he appealed to security agencies to conceal the identity of informants to encourage people to report criminals.

He also appreciated his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, for establishing the Operation Doo-Akpo in 2012, Which he said has over the years assisted in combating crime.

In his words: “I have just signed the Community Safety Corps Bill Into law. This is intended to complement the work of the constitutional recognized security agencies.

“The law also harmonises the special security outfits of the state under one umbrella. This means that henceforth Operation Doo-Akpo, Bayelsa Volunteers and the Bayelsa Vigilantes will operate under one umbrella.

“In line with our Action Plan for security, we have made progress in changing the mind set of our operatives, enhanced intelligence gathering, reinforced our alertness and increased mobility and response time. After comprehensively and holistically evaluating the situation, we have made informed and tailored decisions, allowing us to re-engage Doo-Akpo even more effectively, strengthening performance and guaranteeing the safety and security of our people. Improving responsiveness also requires that we have the requisite equipment and assets.

“Consequently, it gives me great joy today to relaunch the Operation Doo-Akpo. Necessarily, the programme has been rejigged, redesigned and refreshed to be more responsive and responsible in carrying out it’s duties.

“In this first phase, I am commissioning for immediate redeployment 50 brand new Hilux patrol vehicles, a new state-wide command and control system based on Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Technology, 40 brand new motorcycles, a K-9-Unit (term for dogs specifically trained to assist law enforcement personnel), body armour for our men and one additional distress call line which is toll free to callers because government will pay for the distress calls made on the line. This toll free line is 08001230123.

“There assets have been procured at great cost to government, but there can be no cost too exorbitant for the safety and protection of our people.” Governor Diri Stated.