Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, on Wednesday, received the 9th Commissioner of Police posted to the state within three months, expressing his administration’s readiness to work with any security officer for the maintenance of law and order in the state.
Governor Dickson stated this during a courtesy call by the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aminu Saleh, in Government House, Yenagoa, the state capital.
He warned political actors across the country that do not have the capacity to win elections to desist from manipulating the security agencies.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the Governor as saying that the government and people of Bayelsa would support every legitimate law enforcement activity towards promoting peace and stability particularly as the general election draw closer.
Governor Dickson, who charged Mr. Saleh to lead the State Command to perform its duties in a professional and credible manner, emphasised that crime and criminality have no partisan colour.
The governor said no individual, group or political party should be above the law, adding that anybody found culpable should be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the country.
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Assuring the Police Force of his administration’s continued support in fighting crime, Governor Dickson noted that the state government would soon launch a Security Trust Fund as no country makes progress without adequate funding, equipment and training of security personnel.
His words, “This state is so comfortable that we have had a very quick turnover of Commissioners of Police because it is a very serene place that so many people want to visit and work.
“That is the only reason I can give for the fact that in a space of 3 months you are the 9th commissioner of Police.
“I hope that I won’t have cause in the next couple of days, weeks or months to receive another Commissioner of Police; I won’t be surprised.
“Once again that is a record that we are creating but you have seen that our state is hospitable and stable. One of the most peaceful state in Nigeria.
“I want to thank and appreciate the officers and men, my friends and colleagues in the law enforcement community particularly the Police for the role they are playing in working with the government to make this state safe.
“As far as your relationship with our state is concerned, our state stands to support any lawful and legitimate law enforcement action that the Police command under your leadership will embark upon.
“This state does not tolerate the politicization of law enforcement. This state does not politicize crimes and criminality and we advise that you maintain the work your worthy predecessors have embarked upon to make the state safe and stable.”
In his remarks, Mr. Saleh, expressed the preparedness to work with all stakeholders to sustain the prevailing peaceful environment towards achieving a hitch-free election in the state.
To this end, he called on the political class to go about their campaigns peacefully and play by the rules as the Command under his watch would not condone any form of political violence.
Accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CID, Mr. Austin Odion and the Officer in charge of State Investigation Bureau, Mr. Ondo Gbekumo (Superintendent of Police).
Mr. Saleh had served in different capacities including, Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Lagos.
