Police seek procedure review at checkpoints in Bayelsa waterways

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Police Command in Bayelsa State has attributed the drop in crime within the waterways in the state to intensified collaboration among the security agencies and called for a review of procedures at checkpoints.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Asufi, said this at the sidelines of the just concluded 7th Annual Lecture of Federated Correspondents Chapel of the Bayelsa Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Yenagoa.

The theme of this year’s lecture is Maritime Security: Implications for Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry.

He observed that following the improved maritime security in the creeks and waterways, there was a need the review the procedure which makes it mandatory for all passengers to raise both hands-on approaching checkpoints.

Asuf, noted that the Police was actively involved in joint security operations of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe whilst the Marine Unit maintains a presence in coastal settlements across the state.

On the handling of seized stolen crude oil, he suggested that rather than burn the crude and pollute the environment, the impounded should be returned to the identified oil firm.

“The practice of setting crude oil seized from oil thieves on fire is not good enough for our environment, we should look at ways of returning the stolen crude oil to their owners,” he said.

Rear Adm. Obinwanne Egbuchulam, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Yenagoa was the guest lecture.  

He said it was important to handle criminality to ensure successful business operations within the maritime environment.

Egbuchulam was represented by the Commander, NNS Soroh, Patrick Effah.

He said that to ensure unhindered trade and commerce within the maritime environment and by extension the Gulf of Guinea, all forms of criminality must be dealt with as the cost of oil facilities was enormous.