IYC Blames Security Agencies Over Rising Crime Cases In Bayelsa
3 min read
John, ODHE, Yenagoa
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has blamed the police and other security agencies over the rising cases of kidnapping and other violent crimes in Bayelsa state, alleging that they have not been doing enough to curb the ugly trend.
The umbrella body of Ijaw youths in the Niger Delta said despite the efforts of the present administration of Governor Douye Diri to provide logistical support to security agencies to aid the fight against crime, insecurity keeps increasing in the state.
According to the IYC, though the state government has recently provided over 50 patrol vehicles and financial support for the state owned security outfit codenamed Operation Doo Ako, to boost security agencies, it seems the morals of the rank and file was low and lacking necessary motivation from their bosses.
National Spokesman of the IYC, Ebilade Ekerefe in a statement in Yenagoa accused the heads of security agencies in the state for not doing enough to stem the rising and worrisome trends in kidnapping, high profile killings and violent crimes in the state.
‘The question we are asking is that despite the huge resources by Governor Diri to security agencies in the state, why are we not getting value for money?
“There is available evidence that the morale of the rank and file is very low. The top echelon of the security agencies is not doing enough to motivate their men in tackling their jobs seriously. Nobody in the state is happy about the high trend of kidnapping and criminality in the state.
“As Ijaw Youths Council, we find it difficult to believe that the security agencies are not doing their jobs effectively. People come into the state and kidnap with impunity and nobody has been arrested. Nobody has been made to pay for the crimes they have committed and it has made the criminals to be emboldened to do more with affront. The borders of the state are porous and security operatives seem not interested in searching and querying what goes into the state and comes out,” he said.
He however pointed out that the worrisome trend had made the security of lives and property everybody’s business, stating that the state government had provided the needed support, but wondered why the security agencies were not effectively carrying out their legitimate duty.
He also announced that the Ijaw youths in all the clans and communities in the state have been placed on red alert to gather and provide intelligence for security agencies in order to stop the worrisome security trend. “There must be collaboration between the security agencies, Ijaw Youths, Traditional heads, community leadership and other stakeholders to nip in the bud the worrisome security situation. It is not when there is a security crisis, they run to the governor with more memos for approvals. These agencies must do their work effectively.”
“As we are going into another round of election, if we don’t speak out, some political elements that don’t mean well for the peace in the state could capitalize on it, calling on Operation Doo Akpo and other security outfits to rise up to the occasion and boost the morale of rank and files.
“We call on the governor and government of the state to summon a security summit to address these issues. Traditional Rulers and youth presidents involved in activities that condone criminality should be exposed and heads of security agencies not using the huge funds being approved by the government for intelligence and motivation of rank and file should also be exposed.
“Logistics approved to security agencies are meant for security matters not private pockets. The Patrol vehicle handed to security agencies are not for personal use but for security. These vehicles are not visible in the state,” he added.