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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, Ajao Adewale, has assumed duty, with a warning to police personnel in the state to adopt a proactive and intelligence-driven approach in tackling crime and criminality.
Adewale, who took over from AIG Iyamah Edebor, in his maiden address to newsmen at his office, assured residents of the state of his commitment to effective policing, protection of lives and property, maintenance of law and order, and delivery of professional and responsive policing.
The new CP said he would prioritise the fight against cultism, armed robbery, maritime crimes, illegal possession of firearms, drug offences, oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism and other forms of organised criminality.
According to him, Bayelsa’s predominantly riverine terrain and extensive waterways present unique security challenges that require specialised and coordinated policing strategies.
He said the command would adopt the perception index, in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s policy direction of restoring trust between the police and the community, as part of its operational strategy.
Adewale disclosed that he had immediately directed officers and men of the command to decisively tackle pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal refining activities and other forms of economic sabotage.
He said his administration would be intelligence-driven and proactive, with emphasis on robust community engagement, effective multi-agency collaboration and zero tolerance for crime and police misconduct.
According to him, the mission of the command under his leadership would be to enhance public safety, combat crime proactively, build public trust and confidence, and promote accountability and professionalism.
He said: “The Police will strengthen intelligence gathering, crime mapping, targeted operations against cultists, kidnappers, armed robbers, pirates and drug traffickers. We will also dismantle their leadership, funding and logistics networks.
“Given the state’s riverine nature, marine and waterways security will be prioritised through patrols, intelligence operations and collaboration with the Armed Forces and maritime stakeholders.
“We will also improve inter-agency and inter-state coordination to block criminal movement. Protection of oil and gas infrastructure will be strengthened through partnerships with relevant agencies, operators and host communities.
“The command will enhance high-visibility policing, rapid response and intelligence-based patrols in crime-prone areas. We will continuously adapt our strategies to emerging threats. Our focus is not only to respond to crime but to prevent and disrupt it before it occurs.”
The CP said officers and men of the command would strengthen intelligence gathering, crime mapping and analysis to identify crime hotspots, emerging threats and criminal networks, while sustaining targeted operations against cultists, armed robbers, pirates, drug traffickers and other violent criminals.
On community policing, Adewale stressed that effective policing could not be achieved by the police alone, noting that security remained a collective responsibility.
“We shall deepen partnerships with traditional institutions, community leaders, youth and women groups, religious organisations, the private sector and the media,” he said.
He assured residents that the command would remain committed to protecting lives and property while working closely with stakeholders to build a safer and more secure Bayelsa State.
