Amba said the 6,000 personnel had been deployed after undergoing marine training, while some are still being trained.
The Police in Bayelsa had
deployed 16 patrol gunboats and 6, 000 policemen to tackle sea piracy
and criminality in Bayelsa waterways to ensure safety of the water
channels.
 |
| Niger Delta Avengers (Punch) |
The Bayelsa Commissioner of Police, Mr Asuquo Amba, revealed this in Yenagoa on Saturday during a visit by members of the state chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO).
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CLO team was led by its Chairman, Chief Nengi James.
Amba said the 6,000 personnel had been deployed after undergoing marine training, while some are still being trained.
The
commissioner said intelligence report gathered by the police showed
that the Delta and Rivers waterways had recorded relative calm due to
synergy of the various state security agencies.
He,
however, admitted that there were still some challenges with sea piracy
in the state, pledging that the police would soon deal with sea pirates
terrorising the state’s waterways.
Amba
said 14 of the 16 gunboats being deployed were refurbished by the
Bayelsa Government, while two were procured by the Police Zonal Command.
“Gov. Seriake Dickson has directed that 14 gun boats be repaired for the operation and two donated by the Police high command.
“The 6,000 personnel needed are being trained,” he said.
Speaking
on prison congestion and recent cell break at the State Anti-Robbery
Squad (SARS) office, Amba blamed the deplorable state of police
detention facilities on the slow judicial processes for the development.
Amba
said proposal for construction of a new and secured SARS’ cell and the
amendment to improve the judicial process had been submitted to the
relevant authorities.
“Most police
cells are not in good conditions in the state. Also, the slow process of
the Bayelsa judiciary is not helping matters.
“Out
of all the states of the South South, Bayelsa court process is the
slowest. All cases depend on Director of Public Prosecution’s clearance
and when the case is cleared, it does not move forward.
”
I have met with the Chief Judge of the state on the matter. I have also
met with the state governor on the issue. When a police custody is
congested, the inmates become agitated.” Amba said.
In
his presentation, the state chairman, CLO, commended the Bayelsa Police
Command for the recent successes recorded in the state.
James
noted that though some personnel of the command were doing well, others
had continually engaged in alleged extortion of members of the public.
He also alleged that some policemen are still demanding bribes before granting bails to suspects in the state.