Bayelsa govt imposes dusk-to-dawn curfew on waterways, bans 200hp engine boats

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has approved the imposition of night curfew on all waterways in the state as part of measures to curtail sea piracy, kidnappings and other criminal activities along the creeks.

Briefing newsmen on resolutions reached after the 22nd State Security Council meeting in Yenagoa, the Special Adviser on Security, CP Agberebi Akpoebi, (Rtd.) said henceforth, there would be no movement on the waterways between 7pm and 6am.

“Second is the imposition of curfew in our waterways from 7pm-6am. There will only be considerations for dire emergency situations in our communities.”

“In course of today’s state security council meeting, the following decisions were made:

First, was the ban on the use of 200 Horse-Power Engine speed boats in Bayelsa State. This ban is a total one, and applying for permit for its use will not be tolerated.”

Third is the warning against communities whose lands have been acquired by government, but are still parading themselves as landlords, and in the course of doing so, they have been embarking on protests and disturbing public peace.

The council in its meeting resolved that henceforth, it has been made clear that protests by such communities will not be tolerated anymore.

With regards to incidents of kidnappings and robbery in Yenagoa and other parts of the State, government has given an order to all the security agencies to henceforth ensure that they deal decisively with perpetrators of such crimes.

These resolutions will take effect immediately, and Bayelsans are to report violators through the Doo-Akpo number on 07006464644.”