The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, has assumed duty with a pledge to strengthen community partnerships in the fight against cultism, armed robbery, maritime crimes, illegal firearms, drug trafficking and other forms of criminality.

Ajao Saka Adewale took over the leadership of the Bayelsa State Police Command from AIG Iyamah Daniel Edebor, who has been elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police.

Speaking during his maiden address to journalists in Yenagoa on Wednesday, the new Commissioner assured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order, and providing professional, responsive and accountable policing.

He acknowledged the peculiar security challenges posed by Bayelsa’s predominantly riverine terrain and extensive waterways, saying his administration would adopt intelligence-driven and proactive strategies to address criminal activities across the state.

According to him, the Command would prioritise the fight against cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, piracy, drug trafficking, illegal firearms, oil bunkering, crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal refining and other organised crimes.

The CP said his operational strategy would be anchored on intelligence gathering, crime mapping, targeted operations, effective inter-agency collaboration and robust engagement with communities.

“Our focus is not only to respond to crime but to prevent and disrupt it before it occurs,” he said.

Ajao Saka Adewale disclosed that the Command would strengthen intelligence gathering and crime analysis to identify crime hotspots, emerging threats and criminal networks.

He said targeted operations would be sustained against cultists, armed robbers, kidnappers, pirates, drug traffickers and other violent criminals, adding that the police would work to dismantle their leadership structures, funding sources and logistics networks.

On the security of the state’s waterways, the Commissioner said marine and waterways security would receive particular attention through increased patrols, intelligence-led operations and closer collaboration with the Armed Forces and other maritime stakeholders.

He also promised renewed efforts to protect critical oil and gas infrastructure through stronger partnerships with relevant government agencies, operators and host communities.

He said the approach would help curb pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, illegal refining and other activities capable of undermining the state’s economy and national security.

The new Police Commissioner further stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration, saying the Command would improve operational coordination, intelligence sharing and joint responses with the Armed Forces, sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.

On community policing, CP Ajao Saka Adewale said effective security could not be achieved by the police alone, describing security as a collective responsibility.

He pledged to deepen partnerships with traditional institutions, community leaders, youth and women groups, religious organisations, the private sector and the media.

The Commissioner said such partnerships would enable the police to obtain timely intelligence, build public confidence and respond more effectively to security threats.

He stated that his administration would pursue the goals of enhancing public safety, proactively combating crime, building trust and confidence in the police, and promoting accountability and professionalism.

The CP also warned police officers and personnel in the Command against extortion, abuse of power, human rights violations and other forms of misconduct.

He stressed that officers must uphold professionalism, respect the rights of citizens and discharge their duties in accordance with the law.

Ajao Saka Adewale assured Bayelsa residents that the Command under his leadership would continuously review and adapt its strategies to emerging security threats while maintaining a strong focus on public safety and effective service delivery.

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