Bayelsa State government says it is putting finishing touches towards
relaunching its quick response security outfit codenamed “Operation Doo
Akpo” to enhance security in the state.
Governor Seriake Dickson disclosed this on Wednesday while inaugurating the
Community Safety Corps, which is coordinated by a retired Commissioner of
Police, Mr Akpoebi Agberebi, in Government House, Yenagoa.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr Daniel Alabrah,
explained that the governor’s decision to relaunch the operations of the
suspended security outfit was pursuant to an amendment to the Community
Safety Corps Bill by the state House of Assembly.
He assured the people of an improved and more secure environment, noting
that the new Operation Doo Akpo would not only be better equipped but also
draw its personnel from all uniformed security agencies in the state.
Governor Dickson charged the newly inaugurated Community Safety Corps
Coordinator to properly manage all the activities of community-based
security outfits such as the Bayelsa Vigilante and Waterways Safety Corps.
He also urged the coordinator to oversight the activities of the
reorganised Operation Doo Akpo with a view to supporting other security
agencies improve on the prevailing peace and stability in the state.
He expressed gratitude to all security agencies in the state, including
operatives of Doo Akpo, for working hard to earn and retain the confidence
of the people.
His words: “I have just assented to the amendment bill creating the
Community Safety Corps that will coordinate all the activities of our
vigilante, waterways safety corps and other such groups existing in this
state.
“With this amendment, Operation Doo Akpo is now a part of the departments
that you will oversight. Doo Akpo will be reorganised and its officers will
be drawn from all uniformed services as a quick response team.
“We will give them more facilities and vehicles. We are going to even
launch a motorcycle patrol team that will be in all the nook and cranny of
the state, especially our state capital to deal with urban banditry,
cultism and related vices.
“The security chiefs have been sitting and planning with me the
reorganisation of Doo Akpo and by next week, we will have cause to formally
represent it to you all in a more reinvigorated manner.”
In his response, coordinator of the Community Safety Corps, Mr
Akpoebi Agberebi, expressed appreciation to the governor for his
appointment and subsequent inauguration.
Mr Agberebi assured the government and people of the state that he would
use his experience and training while partnering other security agencies to
create a safer Bayelsa.