Bayelsa Govt Kicks Against Discriminatory Show Of Force In Opu Nembe
...Urges Security Agents To Be Wary Of APC's Plot
The Bayelsa State Government has frowned at what it described as discriminatory enforcement of the law and partial implementation of the rules of engagement by security operatives deployed in Opu Nembe to restore peace and security.
The government specifically urged the Nigeria Police to be circumspect and neutral in carrying out its law enforcement duties to avoid playing into the hands of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which it said was not ready for a peaceful, free and fair governorship election in the state.
This was the position of the government while reviewing the situation of the embattled community during the 119th State Executive Council meeting, held Wednesday in Government House, Yenagoa.
Governor Douye Diri, speaking through his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, expressed concern that the security agents were quick at showing evidence of arms cache but failed to reveal the identity of a civil defence and police personnel, as well as three other youths caught with dangerous weapons believed to be working closely with one of the masterminds of the crisis.
The governor challenged the Nigeria Police to parade the culprits who had earlier confessed to working for a prime suspect in the February 15 killings in Opu Nembe.
While noting that the Bayelsa State Government was not against anyone going into the community to enforce the law, Governor Diri stressed that shielding a known non-state actor and his group could only be seen as grave injustice to the state government and law abiding people of the community.
The Bayelsa Chief Executive, therefore, appealed to the police hierarchy to pull out its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) squad deployed to the area, emphasizing that the Joint Taskforce made up of the Army, Police, Navy, Airforce, Civil Defence and DSS were capable of tackling any criminal or security threat in the state.
His words “It must be made clear that the state government does not promote and patronize crime and criminality but it is against the indiscriminate enforcement of the laws of the land and poor implementation of the rules by the security forces.
“As we have stated during my visit to Nembe, what is happening there is not supposed to be. The armed forces of whoever that is in charge of the security presence there, was quick at showing evidence of arms cache that were allegedly discovered in Nembe.
“We expect that the security agencies should parade these people to ensure that they come to equity with clean hands. We are not against anybody going there to enforce the law. But we are also not going to be happy if our presence is being threatened by youths working for whoever.
“We want to call on the Nigeria Police to demonstrate neutrality at this point where its integrity is being tested. They should not be seen to be aiding and abetting criminals working for the APC in the name of enforcing the law. The PDP is ready for a peaceful election anytime in this state. But clearly, they (APC) are not ready for such.”
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