Bayelsa Politicians Sponsor Kidnappers- Governor Dickson

Politicians in President Goodluck Jonathan’s home state of Bayelsa sponsor kidnappings for various reasons including to scare away investors, the state governor, Seriake Dickson, has said.
The Bayelsa Governor stated this on Monday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworis-Markson.
The Governor said some “disgruntled politicians” were bent on halting his transformation agenda and are behind the kidnappings.
Bayelsa, like many other Nigerian States, has witnessed series of kidnappings including of foreigners, and traditional rulers.
The kidnappings in the state are usually executed in a ‘commando’ tactics with gunmen on speed boats storming a vessel or a house by a river to kidnap their victims.
Most of these gunmen, the governor has said, are sponsored by politicians in the state, where President Jonathan was a former deputy governor and governor.
“From the facts at our disposal, it is clear that some failed politicians who have lost out in the power equation in the state are working behind the scene with some forces outside the state to sponsor kidnapping of innocent citizens in Bayelsa,” he said.
The Governor said the politicians’ aim is not only to scare away investors and stall development, but also to make the state ungovernable.
“Their intention is to give the impression that the government of the day is incapable of securing the lives and property of citizens,” he said.
The governor’s spokesperson said that Mr. Dickson’s administration had not only given priority to security, but had also shown political will to protect lives and property in the state.
He said that the administration had succeeded in turning around the state from a haven of cultism, violence, and criminality into a peaceful and prosperous state.
He said that the passage of the Secret Cult, Kidnapping and Similar Offences Prohibition Law 2012, had made it possible to prosecute criminals who ran foul of the law.
He warned mischief makers to stay clear of the state, adding that the government would prosecute anyone who did not obey the law.
“Let it be stated for the umpteenth time that there will be no sacred cows in the enforcement of law and order.
“The era of playing politics with security matters are gone for good and shall remain so,’’he said.
The governor urged youth in the state to redirect their energies toward meaningful ventures.
He also urged them to take advantage of the free and compulsory education policy of the government to acquire education instead of allowing themselves to be used as tools for criminality.
Mr. Dickson’s spokesperson stressed the need for parents and guardians to re-orientate their children and wards on the dangers of cultism, kidnapping and all forms of criminality.
“This is a new Bayelsa and disgruntled politicians who think they can play politics with our collective security as a people should be ready to face the full wrath of the law,” he warned.