Security Alert in Bayelsa: Diri Orders Arrest of Cultists, Seeks Youth Reorientation
In a groundbreaking development on security of lives and property, the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has ordered the mass arrest of suspected cultists linked to the recent clash in Igbogene, Yenagoa, declaring that his administration will no longer tolerate cult-related violence and criminality in the state.
The directive was issued on Thursday during the 42nd State Security Council Meeting held at Government House, Yenagoa, where the governor met with heads of security agencies to review the state’s security situation.
Reacting to the Igbogene incident, Diri instructed security operatives to go after identified perpetrators and ensure they are brought to justice.
“I have directed that anybody caught should face the music. There should be mass arrest of any of them that we know so that we will tame them,” the governor said.
“We can’t continue to have youths who were provided opportunities in several ways and will not take that but want to continue in crime and criminality. We will not tolerate crime and criminality in our state.”
The governor’s order signals a renewed crackdown on cult activities in parts of the state capital and its environs.
Youths Advised to Shun Cultism
Diri used the meeting to urge young people to take advantage of government-backed empowerment and sports development programmes, rather than resorting to cultism and violence.
He maintained that his administration had deliberately invested in youth-focused initiatives aimed at reducing unemployment and social unrest, insisting that security agencies had been empowered to deal decisively with criminal elements.
The governor also commended security commanders for demolishing the notorious Yenizue-gene (Aboki Quarters), previously identified as a hub for drug abuse and criminal operations in Yenagoa.
UK Delegation Visits Bayelsa
In a related development, the governor received a delegation from the British High Commission, led by Deputy High Commissioner Gill Lever, who are in Bayelsa as part of interventions focused on youth empowerment and security.
The delegation is promoting a programme tagged “Brighter Future,” an initiative aimed at preventing vulnerable youths from drifting into serious and organised crime through early intervention strategies.
Governor Diri welcomed the partnership, describing it as complementary to the state’s efforts to tackle insecurity by addressing its root causes.
The initiative is being facilitated by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth Development and is expected to strengthen collaboration between the state government and international partners in combating youth-related crime.
The 42nd Security Council Meeting was attended by service commanders and senior government officials as the state intensifies measures to restore calm and deter further cult-related violence.
