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… Seeks Collaboration with Vigilante Groups
By Amos Odeh, Yenagoa
Against the backdrop of insecurity in parts of the country, the commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State command, CP Mike Okoli, has set up a special squad to mop-up illegal firearms in Bayelsa State.
This, according to a statement by the command PPRO SP Asinim Butswat, “is consequent upon the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, to state commissioners of Police to initiate appropriate actions to identify, isolate, disarm, arrest and prosecute any individual or group in possession of illegal firearms.”
The statement said the special squad on illegal firearms which is headed by assistant commissioner of Police operations, is saddled with the responsibility of mopping up illegal firearms in the state among other firearms related infractions.
According to the statement, “the Bayelsa State Police Command therefore, will henceforth treat and prosecute persons arrested for unlawful possession of firearms as terrorists, armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists”.
The commissioner of Police Bayelsa State had made this known by during a meeting with vigilante groups at the Police Headquarters on 19 August, 2020.
The CP further enjoined all vigilante members to continue to support the Police in the fight against crime in the state.
“The command hereby call on the peace loving people of Bayelsa State to cooperate and assist the Police in the enforcement of this order, as it is aimed at ensuring safety of lives and property in Bayelsa State,” he said.
