Security: Bayelsa govt. establishes over 5,000 strong community force

Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

To guide against any possible eventuality like that of the Owo Catholic Church massacre, the Bayelsa State Government is to establish an over 5000 strong security Force to be known as the Bayelsa State Safety Corps.

Governor Douye Diri, who announced this in his low-keyed Democracy Day  celebration speech, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, in solidarity with the victims of Owo Catholic massacre, informed that the state’s security architecture was being repositioned with the signing of the Bayelsa State Community Corpse Law to compliment efforts of the various security agencies in the state.

The governor also advised youths to for their PVCs to vote because it more powerful than the AK-47.

The Corps members, which would be trained in all aspects of security to curb criminal activities, is headed by Eric Angaye, retired Brigadier-General in the Nigerian Army.

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The governor, however, explained that the state-owned Bayelsa Vigilante and Bayelsa Volunteer is already incorporated into the new outfit and members would also be trained to make them more effective.

Governor Diri who spoke at  a interdenominational church service to mark the Democracy Day at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yensgoa Sunday  decried that the importance of democracy would be lost if leaders fail to be servants to the people

He charged those occupying elective and appointive offices to see themselves as servants while the people that gave them the mandate as their masters to whom they are accountable.

The governor further advised elected and  appointed officials to regard such positions of authority as a privilege and a platform to better the lot of the people.

“Today being Democracy Day, we should all be reminded to continue to give service to our people.

“If you have been elected or appointed into key government offices and positions, you should note that It is only but a privilege.

“In all our actions, we should know that those who have given us the mandate to serve them are our masters and we are their servants. If you make yourselves a demi-god, you are only deceiving yourselves.”

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While consoling the government and people of Ondo State over the recent  attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, in Owo, Governor Diri  said Bayelsa State in solidarity with the government of Ondo State has declared that there would be no Democracy Day celebration.

Emphasising the importance of PVC in the next election, Governor Diri called on all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly the youths, to get their permanent voter cards to be able to participate in the process of electing leaders.

The governor continued, “Nigerians should be ready with their PVCs. The current leadership has visited this country with hunger, poverty, dwindling economy and above all the wanton destruction of lives and property.

“The people of this country are the only ones that have the solution to all of these. I call on them to free themselves from the current bondage because the PVC is more powerful than the AK-47. The PVC is everything.”

Rev. Tam-Seth Eyedoude, the Guest Minister and Chairman of the state chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), said democracy was not in the hands of any single man, a court or diviners, but rather in the hands of the people  also noted that peace cannot reign without justice just as democracy could not exist without respect for the people’s culture.

Intercessory prayers were also offered for the 2023 general election, the Bayelsa state government and the federal government.

Dignitaries at the service include wife of the governor, Justice Patience Diri, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, father of the governor, Pa Michael Diri, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, national and state lawmakers, service commanders, religious and traditional leaders among others.