DON’T DISBAND OPERATION DOO – AKPO, BAYELSA PDP WARNS IGP

YENEGOA, Bayelsa, Nigeria – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa has warned against a surreptitious plot to disband the state’s special security outfit, Operation Doo-Akpo. Chairman of the PDP in the state, Hon. Cleopas Moses, gave the warning while speaking on the state of security on AIT on Tuesday.

He said that the Bayelsa citizenry was worried about the alleged move because of its grave implications on the security and stability of the state. The PDP State chairman called on the Inspector General of Police, to resist the antics of mischief to avoid the decision which he described as anti- security.

Cleopas said that some APC chieftains who were desperate to create a non existent atmosphere of insecurity with the intent to discredit the state government were behind the move to disband the Operation Doo Akpo. Cleopas Moses said since its establishment, Operation Doo-Akpo had effectively reduced the rate of crime in the state and had exhibited the highest level of professionalism and respect for the citizenry.

He stated that in the past the previous government had set up a similar security outfit, Operation Famou Tangbe, which became the nightmare of Bayelsans as they engaged in extra-judicial killings and other forms of human right abuses.

“Before the government of Rt. Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson came on board in 2012 there was Operation Famou Tangbe which in our local parlance means “kill and throw away.” They were involved in a lot of atrocities and because the restoration government wanted peace, it introduced Operation Doo-Akpo.

“Since Doo-Akpo was formed it has brought peace. They carry out their activities with so much professionalism and to think that anyone will wake up to hatch a plan for their disbandment is the height of insensitivity. We hope it is not true and we call on the Inspector General of Police not to listen to those promoting the evil plot.”

The PDP chairman also expressed concern over the frequent change of police commissioners in the state, saying in just two months about eight police chiefs have been deployed to Bayelsa without any explanation.He said that it was the belief of the PDP that the frequent change of the police commissioners in Bayelsa was as a result of the desperation of APC to win the forthcoming coming elections at all cost even when the party clearly lacked the capacity to do so.

Cleopas maintained that the PDP and Bayelsans would not be intimidated by the antics of the opposition APC ahead of the election.He stressed that the APC would fail in Bayelsa just as it did in 2015.

According to him “We are Ijaw people and we can never be intimidated. We are known for our courage and resistance and so we will resist every attempt to subdue us by any force. The APC knows they can’t win elections in Bayelsa, so they are doing everything possible to undermine the security in the state.

“In 2015 it was 7 over 8 and even at that it was because we decided to let go less not we won in all the local government areas. This time they will not even win anywhere because they lack the capacity and they are not on ground.Those who will win elections for them have all left the party. Timi Alaibe, Tiwe Oruminighe, Ingo Sylva and so on. So with all these people in the PDP now, how will they fare in the elections? Since I became chairman I have had six rallies. Have you heard anywhere, even in a classroom, that the APC had a rally to receive defectors from our party”?

The PDP helsman called on Bayelsans to remain calm and not to be provoked by the unfolding events but to be ready to rise against any attempt to undermine democracy in the state.