Use of drones has eased our operational challenges – Bayelsa police

The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa, Mr Francis Alonyenu, says the introduction of drones into the operations of the command has eased most of the security challenges faced by the command.

Alonyenu said this in an interview with the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Yenagoa,

“The introduction of the drones helped us to overcome most of the challenges being encountered by the command,“ he said.

He said with the drones, kidnapping, bank robberies and attacks on national institutions were eliminated from the state.

“We eliminated kidnapping, bank robberies and attacks on national institutions that were a threat to public peace,“ he told NAN.

The CP said he was motivated to introduce the drones after his experience in the North east, where he used it for operation.

“I was motivated to acquire drones after my deployment by the former Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris to the North East in November 2018.

“I decided to get a drone to use in my movements around the theatre of battle; this taught me that I can do a lot of things with it.

“Immediately I was posted to Bayelsa command, we were challenged with the lack of vehicular logistics and I ordered five drones and I came with my drone pilots.

“All I needed was a room, but when you look at the physical presence of the command headquarter, it is challenging, but I always see obstacles as opportunities.

“ I got two Portacabins as an office and put in the infrastructure and we went for a live broadcast of our activities. As the drones are up, the cameras are also there.

“It was virtual policing we inducted. While the camera gives the horizontal view, the drones give us a vertical view of activities across the state,“he said.

He said that there was the initial challenge of personnel to man the drones, when the two police from the academy left for the law school.

Alonyenu said that the introduction of drones has also reduced the physical engagement of personnel with criminal elements.

“Those who attack us have freedom of movement, but in Bayelsa, their freedom of movement is curtailed because the GPS respects no distance,“ he said.

He said it also drastically reduced operational cost as the huge amount spent on vehicles could now be channelled to other areas of need.

He urged personnel of the command to continue to leverage the opportunity gained they now enjoy the trust of the people of the state.

Alonyenu charged them to avoid corruption and the roadblock system, which he described as a point of irritation.

“In Bayelsa, the police command has no road block on the East West road, any one you see there is either from the zone or from the Force Headquarters tactical unit.

According to him, it is erroneous to assume that most criminals could be apprehended at road blocks.

“The criminals are not at road blocks; they are in the forests, creeks. You have to take the battle to them there.

“We have dealt with the roadblock way from here. Roadblock is a point of irritation. Unearned income through “bread of sorrow“ brings some ill winds to families.

“The person you are taking this money from is not happy because he is giving it with pain. A police officer that cannot earn respect cannot earn the trust of the people,“ he said.

He said that the command was able to check the crime rates in the state with the support of the state governor and the cooperation of the people.

“With the support of the government of state and acceptance of the people, law enforcement and social harmony became easier to maintain in

the state,“ he said.