Ex-CLO scribe expresses concern over rising crime rate in Bayelsa
BY AHERHOKE OKIOMA
Former Secretary of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Comrade Morris Alagoa, has expressed concern over the alarming rise in cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and sea piracy in some parts of the state. According to Alagoa, the rate at which fellow Bayelsans and residents fall victim to violent crimes and robbery inside tricycles is worrisome.
The former CLO scribe, Comrade Morris Alagoa, who is also the State Coordinator of the Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), in a statement titled THAT CRIME RATE IS LOW IN BAYELSA STATE; IS DEBATABLE, noted that Bayelsa State is low in violent crimes, but it isn’t considering size and population.”
According to him, “The crime of armed robbery, sea piracy and kidnapping is high. Not long ago, some unidentified persons attacked and killed some policemen returning from burial within Ogbia Local Government Area, The Trumpet gathered.
“That was still fresh when a relation of mine, Engr. Mike Ogiasa, was kidnapped in the night right in his maternal hometown, Otuogidi in Ogbia Local Government Area.
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“Only a few days ago, news filtered that some passengers were kidnapped in the Creeks. Unexpectedly, I received a call from Okordia this afternoon and, the caller asked if I heard what happened in Kalaba Community last night and, my response was ‘nothing special, what happened?’
“And, I was informed the community’s paramount ruler was kidnapped last night right in the community. The rate at which fellow Bayelsans and residents fall victim to robbery inside tricycles is worrisome too.
“Only this evening, a comrade sent an SMS to me, informing me that he was a victim of tricycle robbery yesterday or so, losing his phone to the criminals. These are just some of the happenings we are privileged to hear about; some are known only by victims’ families and maybe, security agencies. The rate of insecurity is more than alarming.” He added.
