Bayelsa: CP cautions youths against election violence

The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Uche Anozia, has expressed concern over the rising involvement of youths in criminal activities, election violence and thuggery in the state.

According to him, though the politicians offer the youths money and engage them to perpetuate violence and hijack ballot boxes during election, he has noticed that Bayelsa youths prefer to be hired for violence rather than engaging in productive activities.

Police Commissioner, Uche Anozia made this known yesterday during an interactive session with Chairmen of Political Parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), in Yenagoa, the state capital.

He also noted that the meeting was convened to interact with politicians on the dos and don’ts during the forthcoming August 10th Local Government elections in the state.

Anozia warned politicians and youths of the state against any act of lawlessness and violence during the August 10 local government election and the November 16 governorship election in the state, saying the command will prosecute perpetrators of such crimes.

He said: “Youths in Bayelsa state prefer engaging in crimes to engaging in profitable ventures, so, there is always a tendency on the part of politicians to pick up these youths at elections with a view to protecting their interest outside law during election, I want to let you that we are not going to tolerate and unlawfulness during this election, because the law will take its course.

“Any infraction will not be tolerated, when law is obeyed, there is peace, and when there is peace, everybody goes about his/her business unmolested, but when there is violence, the society finds itself in chaos.

“There is need for us to discuss as critical stakeholders ahead of the two elections, so that we can refresh our memories on those negative aspect that characterized our elections and to crave your indulgence to ensure that we do not engage in anything outside law, while participating in the election at hand.

“We will not like to record any violence during this election and after it, I want us to ensure that we abide by the rules, that is the essence of this interaction.” He said.

He promised that the police command will work assiduously to ensure that the crime rate in the state is minimize, and everybody does their businesses unmolested.