Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has approved the allocation of land to the Nigeria Police Command Zone 16 for the construction of administrative and residential structures.

Mr Diri gave the approval on Tuesday when the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Johnson Adenola, the state Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, and other officers of the command paid him a courtesy visit in Yenagoa.

The governor directed the Ministry of Lands and Survey and the Secretary to the State Government to liaise with the command for the allocation of the land in response to Mr Adenola’s request.

He said the location of the headquarters of the command, which covers Bayelsa and Rivers states, in Yenagoa, was a pride to the state as it had greatly enhanced security.

He said, “It has been five years since you have been operating from your temporary office, which was provided by the state government. Your request for land is hereby granted. I direct the commissioner for Lands and Survey and the Secretary to the State Government to liaise with the zone to allocate a befitting land to the command in Yenagoa.’’

He commended the AIG for acknowledging the concerns he raised with his predecessor, particularly on the issue of multiple roadblocks on the highways and expressed optimism that the command would tackle the challenges.

The governor stated, “Listening to you, clearly you have come hitting the ground running. You are already aware of my concerns as indicated in your speech that l am averse to police roadblocks. Every 50 metres, there is a checkpoint and yet these police roadblocks do not check crime and criminality. I am glad we have an AIG who is not going to be part of roadblocks.’’

He urged security agencies to adopt a non-kinetic approach through intelligence gathering to tackle insecurity, noting that security was everybody’s responsibility.

Mr Diri stated that his administration deployed the use of technology through the installation of closed-circuit television cameras in major parts of the city as well as drones to curb crime in the state.

He added, “For me, it is better to avert crime than to go about carrying guns to look for criminals. Let us use more intelligence and technology.’’

Earlier, Mr Adenola said he assumed office last month as the 11th AIG Zone 16 and expressed appreciation to the state government for its support to the command.

He assured the governor of his loyalty and commitment to enhancing security in the state.

He stated, “I came to pledge my loyalty and support to the efforts of the state government in ensuring peace and tranquillity in the state. We are making an effort to have better policing and ensure a people-friendly and rule of law-compliant force.’’

(NAN)