The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Alonyenu Francis Idu, has assured residents of Akassa Community in Brass Local Government Area that the State Police Command is actively investigating the recent sea pirate attack in the area.
He stated that security personnel and surveillance equipment have been deployed to track down those responsible while ensuring that innocent citizens are not harassed in the process.
CP Idu made this known on Thursday during the decoration ceremony for newly promoted officers at the Bayelsa Police Command Headquarters in Yenagoa.
Gabriel Dibie was elevated from Assistant Commissioner of Police to Deputy Commissioner of Police, while Elemoko Ugo Joy was promoted from Chief Superintendent of Police to Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Highlighting Akassa's significance as a hub for oil infrastructure, CP Idu noted that the area has been largely peaceful over the past year, making the recent attack a major concern.
He confirmed that security agencies are analyzing drone footage and intelligence reports to determine whether the attack was criminal, economically driven, or communal in nature. He reassured residents that authorities are taking all necessary steps to restore security and prevent future incidents.
"For almost a year, this is the first incident around Akassa. So it is a delicate issue, and we are already working on it. The outcome of our investigative efforts will help us develop an appropriate response. We are also ensuring that we have adequate coastal logistics to address this situation," he stated.
CP Idu commended the active role of residents in security efforts, emphasizing that citizen engagement has been instrumental in crime prevention.
He acknowledged that the people of Bayelsa have embraced community policing by reporting incidents through phone recordings and actively participating in security discussions.
He also praised the contribution of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in crime prevention, stressing that collaboration between security agencies and residents has been more effective than relying solely on surveillance technology like drones and cameras.
"I encourage other states in this corridor to learn from Bayelsa. The citizens are actively involved in security governance. Their cooperation has significantly enhanced security efforts. While drones and cameras provide additional support, the real impact comes from the people themselves," he remarked.
On the National Security Assessment rating, CP Idu described Bayelsa as one of the safest states in Nigeria, emphasizing that a peer-review mechanism remains the best way to evaluate security conditions.
"If we assess the security situation here, we are in a stable environment. The implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has also helped reduce crime. In the national crime assessment data, Bayelsa ranks the lowest nationwide, and this is a deliberate achievement," he concluded.
