Bayelsa: Assembly poll: Police arrest 7, recover 56 guns

Posted by admin Bayelsa, Elections 2011, NNP Elections 2011 Updates, State News Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

The Bayelsa State Police Command has deployed gun boats in flash points in the state to forestall violence in the State House of Assembly elections. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderenle Shinaba, made this disclosure while parading seven suspects, who were arrested with arms and ammunition in Yenagoa, the state capital.

He explained that the police had also deployed 6,000 men for the elections and also made special arrangements for the riverine areas to ensure a hitch-free election.

Shedding light on the arrest of the suspects, Shinaba said they were arrested around Ekeki Road in a Gulf car with registration number Lagos BJ 863 APP with 52 locally made guns, 2 SMG rifles, one locally made pistol and one English made pistol and 73 live cartridges.
He warned those planning to foment trouble during the election, noting that the police were battle-ready to ensure the protection of lives and property.

According to him the people should not be scared to come out to vote for candidates of their choice as the police were ready to meet force with force with anybody contemplating violence.
His words: “Violence is not acceptable to the Bayelsa Police Command. That is why we are doing what is humanly possible to ensure that there is a free, fair and credible election. Hence there is no need for anybody to display acts of violence and thuggery.

We will definitely not accept it. We want to use this opportunity to inform members of the public to warn their wards, particularly those being used for selfish motives. We will not take it. The police will definitely crush anybody that wants to display acts of violence. We will clash with anybody that is bent of carrying out violence. I want to assure and reassure the good people of Bayelsa State that their lives are safe and well protected in as much as they are going about their legitimate businesses.

We want to tell them to come out en masse to vote for candidates of their choice. I want to assure the public that we will ensure that it is devoid of rancor and violence. Let it be known that violence will be met with equal force, if not more.” Shinaba maintained that he had his name and integrity to protect and insisted he would do everything to ensure the election was free and fair

-Sunwp_posts