Cultists’ violence claimed average of 5 daily in January —Bayelsa CP

The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Olakpe, on Thursday, hinted that an average of five persons were killed as a result of cult violence in January, when he assumed office in the oil rich state.
He, however, said despite logistics challenges facing his command, intensified patrols, intelligence gathering and commitment of security operatives had succeeded in stemming the tide, thus, reducing crime rate in the state.
Olakpe, who made this known on Thursday, in Yenagoa, while on a familiarisation tour of police formations in the state, asserted that, “When I came in January, I was faced with the scourge of cultism. In fact every night, five corpses would be lying down, such that I wondered if I had been posted to a mortuary or become a mortuary attendant.”
Olakpe also stated that “So far so good, the diligence and patriotism of policemen in the state have brought the seeming worrisome situation to the barest minimum,” saying that his command would crush cultism and its sponsors through intelligence reports and incessant attacks on their hideouts.
The police boss, who hinted that the Bayelsa State governor, Honourable Henry Dickson had procured 37 Hilux patrol vans and communication gadgets for the state police command, said the development was part of the state government’s resolve to address some of the logistics challenges confronting the security agencies in combating crime and criminalities.“The governor has so far purchased 37 Hilux vans, which would be used to step up patrol, aimed at tackling crime in all parts of the state,’’ Olakpe said.
“Though we are yet to take the delivery of the vehicles, I have seen it and very soon the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, would come and commission the patrol vans and other logistical equipment that would aid us in ensuring effective security of lives and properties,” he asserted.
While tasking the rank and file of the police in the state not to rest on their oars in making the state unsafe for criminals to hibernate, he implored them to be civil in the discharge of their responsibilities.
culled from tribune