Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, on Monday in Yenagoa asked security agencies to apprehend and prosecute political leaders who sponsor criminals.
A statement by his special adviser on media, Fidelis Soriwei, said Dickson spoke during a courtesy call on him by the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Alhassan.
The Governor said, “It is our position in this state that crime is crime and security agencies should arrest and treat political leaders who are sponsoring criminals as common criminals because that is what they are.”
Dickson called on the Naval authorities to intensify efforts to improve maritime security in the waters of Bayelsa.
He enjoined them to rise to the challenge of sea piracy, kidnapping, oil theft, vandalism and related maritime crimes.
“I count on you to combat and bring down to the barest minimum, the cases of piracy in the waters, cases of kidnapping, the oil theft, the vandalism of Strategic national assets and so forth”.
The governor who commended the Federal Government for the establishment of the Central Naval Command said that the Navy had a major responsibility in the maintenance maritime security and stability.
Dickson commended the Navy’s action against the scourge of sea piracy in Koluama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State.
He demanded the establishment of a naval outpost at Oluasiri and Agge in Nembe and Ekeremor Local Government Areas of the state respectively to strengthen the onslaught on maritime crime.
“While thanking you for your record in Koluama, I wish to inform you we intend working with you to support the establishment of another outpost at the Oluasiri end at the Eastern part and we also need a strong naval presence at Agge in the West.
“If there is any arm of our nation’s security system whose strength is critical to the maintenance of stability, it is the Navy; so this state will continue to partner with the Nigerian Navy.”
