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

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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.

READ ALSO: Tompolo: IYC, Supreme Egbesu Order Tackle Arewa Youths, Demand Open Apology

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.

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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.

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READ ALSO: 2023: IYC Names Three Youths To Leading Parties As Presidential Running Mates

“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”.

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Anambra Court Jails Two For Vandalising Electricity Cables

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A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital has sentenced Chinonso Chinaemelu, 27-year-old, and Okoye Christian, 20-year-old to one-year imprisonment respectively for vandalising a distribution substation belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc.

This development was made known by the Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, in a statement on Thursday.

Ezeh said the duo were arrested on November 29, 2023, by Abatete local vigilante group while attempting to vandalise the distribution substation within the locality.

He also confirmed that in the same week, a couple identified as Mr & Mrs Ebuka Umeh, were arrested by members of Isuorji community neighbourhood security in Orlu, Imo State.

READ ALSO: Hoodlums Set Anambra Police Station Ablaze

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According to him, the couple was arrested when the wife was attempting to pick the vandalised items from a distribution substation belonging to EEDC with their motorcycle, adding that the couple attacked the substation for three days.

Ezeh said, “In a related development, a vandal suspect identified as Chukwuebuka Ezike who hails from Umunachi in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State was arrested by Umuezinachi community neighbourhood watch while he was cutting aluminum conductor around Orie Uguiri Market.

“At Amachi-Izhia, Ebonyi State, Amara Joseph Ajagbo was arrested by members of the Electricity Committee for vandalizing nine spans of aluminum conductors in their community, while two of his gang members escaped.

READ ALSO: Court Sentences Chinese To Death For Killing Nigerian Girlfriend

“The suspects have been handed over to the respective Police formations for proper investigation and possible prosecution.”

Ezeh lamented the spate of vandalism in the EEDC network, stating that it is a major challenge negatively impacting the smooth operations of the company.

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According to him, between January 2022 to date, the company has recorded over 170 cases of vandalism in its network, with about 135 suspected vandals arrested, out of which over 100 have been charged to court.

He stressed that the company will not relent in its resolve to prosecute these arrested suspects and go all out to fish out receivers of these vandalized items as they remain the motivation for the vandals.

Ezeh lamented that it has become difficult for the organisation to fund the restoration of vandalised infrastructure and that the development is affecting service delivery to customers.

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Hoodlums Set Anambra Police Station Ablaze

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Some yet-to-be-identified assailants have set ablaze the police divisional headquarters in Nneni, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

It was gathered that the hoodlums invaded the facility in the early hours of Thursday and threw explosive devices that burnt parts of the building.

A source and one of the residents in the area said the hoodlums were attempting to free some inmates at the facility, but they were unsuccessful as police officers on duty repelled the attack.

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When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the attack but added that no life was lost.

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“In Nneni, no life was lost. No policeman was whisked away, and no armed was taken away. Instead, the hoodlums threw IEDs into the police facility, which torched part of the building.

“Our operatives gallantly resisted the attackers, which made them flee. Operations are still ongoing, and further developments shall be communicated,” Ikenga said.

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Court Orders Release Of 313 Suspected Terrorists

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A Federal High Court in Borno has ordered the release of no fewer than 313 suspected terrorists arrested by the military.

The court ordered their release for lack of evidence to nail the suspects after the investigation.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, disclosed this during a briefing on military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja.

He assured all that the military would comply with the court order and release the suspected terrorists to the state government.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Military Yields To Pressure, Frees Abducted Lagos Editor

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Buba said, “During the week, as a follow up to a court order of the Federal High Court in Maiduguri, a total of 313 suspects in detention for terrorism-related offences were to be released to the Borno State government.

“The court ordered the release for want of evidence after the conclusion of the investigation and other ancillary matters.

“The cases were prosecuted by the Department of Prosecution, Federal Ministry of Justice. Accordingly, they would be handed over to the Borno State Government for further action.”

The PUNCH reports that this is not the first time suspected terrorists would be acquitted for want of evidence.

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The Minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had on December 4, 2023, said out of a total of 1,323 suspects prosecuted for terrorism, only 366 convictions were secured.

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He noted that 896 others were discharged for lack of evidence.

Fagbemi said, “I must acknowledge the fact that we have come a long way in this initiative. The first phase of the Kainji Prosecution Project commenced in October 2017 with remarkable achievements where we recorded a total of 366 convictions, 896 others were discharged for want of sufficient evidence and 61 other cases adjourned for further hearing.

“There have been three phases of the exercise so far, spanning between October 2017 and July 2018. I must, at this point, challenge all stakeholders to ensure that the momentum is sustained, seeing how important this assignment is to the well-being of our beloved country and her people.”

 

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