Metro

IYC Raises Alarm Over Rising Cases Of Kidnapping, Violent Crimes In Bayelsa

Published

3 years ago

August 4, 2022

The apex youth body of the Nine Niger Delta States, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, has expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

The youth group said despite the efforts of the present administration of Governor Douye Diri to provide logistic support to security agencies the spate of criminal activities has increased uncontrollably recently.

The National Spokesman of the IYC, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe in a media interactive session in Yenagoa, on Thursday, accused the heads of security agencies in the state of not doing enough to stem the rising and worrisome trends in kidnapping, high profile killings and violent crimes in the state.

He asserted that instead of arresting perpetrators and prosecuting them, the crime kept rising without a security counter plan despite the huge investment in security of the state by the present administration of Gov. Douye Diri.

Ekerefe noted that though the security agencies are working but they are not doing enough to stem the worrisome tide, ”the question we are asking is that despite the huge resources by Gov. Diri to security agencies in the state, we are not getting value for money. There is available evidence that the morale of the rank and file are very low. The top echelon of the security agencies are not doing enough to motivate their men in taking their jobs seriously. Nobody in the state is happy about the high trend of kidnapping and criminality in the state.”

According to the IYC scribe, though the Bayelsa State Government have in the last two years provide over Fifty patrol vehicles, Financial support and rejig security architecture of the State to accommodate grassroots policing and support security agencies in the state, the morals of the rank and file of the security agencies seems low and lacking necessary motivation from their bosses.

“As Ijaw Youths council, we find it difficult to believe that the security agencies are not doing their jobs effectively. People come into the state and kidnap with impunity and nobody has been arrested. Nobody has been made to pay for the crimes they have committed and it has made the criminals to be emboldened to do more with affront. The Borders of the state are porous and security operatives seems not interested in searching and querying what goes into the state and come out’

He however pointed out that the worrisome trends has made the security of lives and property everyone’s business,” the Bayelsa Government has provided the needed support but what now stops the security agencies from carrying out their legitimate duty? The security agencies in Bayelsa should sit up as people are dying and they seek justice and those alive seek protection. People are being kidnapped at will and nobody knows where these violent activities will take us.”

He also announced that the Ijaw Youths in all the clans and communities in the state have been placed on red alert to gather and provide intelligence to security agencies in order to stop the worrisome security trend,” there must be collaboration between the security agencies, Ijaw Youths, Traditional heads, community leadership and other stakeholders to nip in the bud the worrisome security situation, “it is not when there is security crisis, they run to the Governor with more memos and approvals. These agencies must do their works effectively/”

“As we are going into another round of elections and if we don’t speak out, some political elements that don’t mean well for the peace in the state could capitalize on it. There should be no sacred cow in fighting crime and criminality. It is not a crime for the people of Bayelsa to live peacefully. The State security agency, Operation Door Akpor, should also rise up to the occasion and boost the morale of rank and files. Instead of addressing the worrisome crime, they are going after petty issues that can be resolved by the dispute and conflict resolution desks. We want to believe that the efforts of Gov. Douye Diri is not being undermined by some fifth columnists. Enough is enough.

“We call on the Governor and Government of the state to summon a security summit to address these issues. Traditional Rulers and Youth Presidents involved in activities that condoned criminality should be exposed and heads of security agencies not using the huge funds being approved by the Government for intelligence and motivation of rank and file should also be exposed. Logistics approved to security agencies are meant for security matters not private pockets. The Patrol vehicles handed to security agencies are not for personal use but for security. These vehicles are not visible in the state.”

Comrade Ekerefe also took a swipe at Ijaw Youths for not doing enough to assist security agencies to arrest those involved in crime and criminality, “The security situation in the state is taking an alarming level. You are a youth and you said you want jobs but you are condoning insecurity, how do you get jobs when investors cannot come into the state. You are a youth and an indigene of the state and you got wind of the plan to kidnap someone and you kept quiet, you are also a criminal if you don’t tell the security agencies. This is not what an ijaw man is known for and it is very sad”.

Metro

EFCC Arraigns Three Company Staff For Alleged Fraud Of ₦174m

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2025

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Uyo Zonal Directorate, has arraigned Akaninyene Enefiok Archibong, Sylvanus Edet Akpan, and Glory Enefiok Archibong before Justice Maurine Onyetenu of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday said they were arraigned on Friday, November 7, 2025 on twenty-two count charges bordering on stealing, conspiracy, money laundering and criminal diversion to the tune of ₦174,226,610 (One hundred and Seventy-four million, Two hundred and Twenty-six thousand, Six hundred and ten Naira).

He said, “One of the charges reads: “That you, Akaninyene Enefiok Archibong sometime between January and December 2022, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently took possession of the sum of ₦58,600,500.00 through your First Bank account number 3055162976, knowing that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: stealing by conversion, contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2022, and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.”

Metro

Man Axed To Death By Lover’s Children, Friends In Delta

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2025

Editor

A man identified as Rossy Omatseye has been attacked and axed to death by the children and friends of his lover in Orerokpe Community, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident occurred on Monday, November 10, according to DAILY POST.

It was learnt that the deceased and his lover had an argument which led to his attack and death.

When the children of his lover heard of the argument between him and their mother, they mobilized their friends and went to his house where they attacked and axed him to death on the spot.

The deceased family members who are from Ekpan Community in Uvwie Local Government Area mobilized with their friends to avenge the death of their brother in Orerokpe Community.

The incident caused serious tension but the Police has brought the matter under control.

Although our sources confirmed the violence, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, is yet to confirm the incident as requested by our correspondent in Warri.

Metro

Four Sentenced To Death Over Kano Garage Owner’s Murder

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced four men to death by hanging for the murder of Rilwanu Ilyasu, known as Nanu, a mechanic who ran a garage at Farawa Layout in Kano.

The accused are Abubakar Sadiq (alias Alhaji Sallari), Abdulmajid Jibrin, Nasiru Sani, and Yusuf Sani.

Both were found guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide under Sections 97 and 221(b) of the Penal Code. Two other suspects, Nura Farin Boss and Dan Bayo, are still at large.

Barrister Safiya Yalwati, leading the prosecution, said the attack happened on the night of April 13, 2016, when the defendants entered Ilyasu’s home armed with an axe and other deadly weapons.

She added that the assault was motivated by suspicions that Ilyasu had tipped off NDLEA operatives, leading to the arrest of the first defendant and the seizure of illicit drugs and N27,000.

The attack left Ilyasu with fatal injuries. The prosecution called eight witnesses and presented key exhibits, including the murder weapon.

After reviewing the evidence, the court sentenced the four men to death by hanging.

Reacting to the ruling, the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Maude Kabir SAN, through his media aide Abubakar Tijjani Ibrahim, said the judgment reeflects the unwavering commitment of the Kano State Ministry of Justice to ensuring that justice is served in accordance with the law.