Bayelsa imposes curfew on waterways to check piracy, others

To check piracy, kidnapping and other criminal activities, the Bayelsa State Government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on its waterways.

The embargo on water transportation, which runs from 7:00p.m. to 6:00a.m., also affects the use of 200- horsepower speedboats.

The measures were announced on Monday evening at the end of the 12th state security council meeting presided by Governor Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa.

Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the gathering in Yenagoa, the Special Adviser on Security Matters I, 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.

He, however, said concession would be given to emergency movement during the restriction hours, advising 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.

Agberebi 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.

Earlier in his charge to the newly posted Commissioner of Police, Benjamin Okolo, Governor Diri expressed optimism that by his profile, he would add value to the state by curbing criminality.

He urged him to synergise, collaborate and partner with sister security agencies for zero tolerance for crimes.He said: “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.”