Bayelsa police defend routine raid on criminals

THE Bayelsa State Police Command has dismissed as “untrue” the claims by the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) that men of the Police engaged in indiscriminate arrest of innocent people in the state, noting that the routine raids and stop and search operations have led to the arrest of a military deserter and 49 other persons over alleged involvement in armed robbery and other violent crimes in the state.

According to the spokesman of the Police Command, Mr. AstiminButswat, the military deserter, identified as 28 years old YenaboPresido from Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Council of the state and his accomplice, 22years old ThankGod Victor from Ogoni area of Rivers State were arrested along SaniAbacha way in Yenagoa,Bayelsa State capital.

According to Butswat,the army deserter reportedly confessed that the assault rifle found in his possession was stolen from a BokoHaram camp in the North East where he had served. Also found in his possession was a Highlander SUV allegedly stolen from Port Harcourt,Rivers State.