Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has warned criminals to steer clear of the state.

Diri gave the warning on Tuesday during the re-launch of the state security outfit, code-named Operation Doo-Akpo.

He also commissioned 50 operational vehicles, 40 motorbikes and security gadgets and signed into law the Community Safety Corps Bill passed by the state House of Assembly.

The law streamlines operations of the state security outfits, Operation Doo-Akpo and Bayelsa Volunteers and Bayelsa Vigilante, under one umbrella.

Speaking during the re-launch at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, Diri noted that the exercise was to reinvigorate the security architecture of the state to make it more efficient in crime fighting.

According to him, the operations of the state security outfit would not to usurp the functions of the conventional security agencies but to complement with them to rid the state of criminals.

While acknowledging the enormous resources used to procure the assets, Diri said the priority of his administration is to ensure the prosperity of all, which cannot be achieved without security of lives and property.

He appealed to security agencies to conceal identities of informants to encourage people to report criminal activities.

He said: “I have just signed the Community Safety Corps Bill into law. This is intended to complement the work of the constitutional recognised security agencies.

“The law also harmonises the special security outfits of the state under one umbrella. This means that henceforth Operation Doo-Akpo, Bayelsa Volunteers and the Bayelsa Vigilante will operate under one umbrella.

“In line with our action plan for security, we have made progress in changing the mindset of our operatives, enhanced intelligence gathering, reinforced our alertness and increased mobility and response time. After comprehensively and holistically evaluating the situation, we have made informed and tailored decisions, allowing us to re-engage Doo-Akpo even more effectively, strengthening performance and guaranteeing the safety and security of our people. Improving responsiveness also requires that we have the requisite equipment and assets.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, CP Agberebi Akpoebi (rtd), noted that the outfit had assisted in combating crime in the state, making it one of the safest states in the South- South geopolitical zone.