By Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has advised security agencies to invest more time and resources in intelligence gathering in their effort to overcome banditry, insurgency and other security challenges confronting the country.
Governor Diri made the call at a retirement party organized by the State government in honour of the outgoing Commissioner of Police, CP Mike Okoli, at the Dappa Biriye Conference Centre in Yenagoa.
Represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Governor emphasized the need for security agencies to adopt a holistic approach that will encourage the active participation of civilians in their campaign against insecurity.
According to Senator Diri, until security is seen as everyone’s business in society, the use of kinetic approach to addressing security challenges, will yield little or no meaningful result.
While calling on the Police and other security outfits to be above board in the performance of their duties, he urged people of the State to always volunteer information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of criminals in the State.
Describing CP Mike Okoli as a refined product with an unblemished record throughout his service in the Nigeria Police, Governor Diri said society had a lot to learn from the wealth of experience of the retiring Police Commissioner.
He acknowledged the sacrifices being made by security personnel, noting that some of them get killed or become paralyzed in the course of securing lives and property, and therefore, must be appreciated in society.
Earlier in their separate goodwill messages, the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, His Royal Majesty King Alfred Diete-Spiff, and the Commandant of Police Staff College, Jos, Assistant Inspector General, Don Awunah, acknowledged CP Okoli’s contributions to the relative peace and security in the State.
They described him as an outstanding and accomplished officer with an unblemished track record in the Nigerian Police and wished him the best in his future endeavours.
Responding, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Mike Okoli, thanked Governor Diri, and his Deputy, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, for honouring him by hosting his retirement thanksgiving reception.
Okoli also thanked the service commanders and everyone who made out time to attend the event, especially the Commandant of Police Staff College, Jos, A.I.G Don Awunah, and prayed God to bless them.
The reception was attended by government functionaries and service commanders in the State including the Commander, 16 Brigade Yenagoa, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen A.O. Awolo; the Commander, NNS Soroh, Commodore Peter Effah, and the Commandant, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Commandant Christiana Abiakam-Omanu.
Others included; the State Comptroller, Nigerian Correctional Services, Seth Edoghotu, the Deputy Corps Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mrs. Miriam Benimisia; the Commanding Officer, 35 Base Services, Nigerian Air force Base, Yenagoa, Wing Commander Okwudiri Augustine; the Deputy Director of State Services, Mr. Shotayo Olufemi, CP Aminu Alhassan, CP Ebong Eyibio and members of Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA).