The Bayelsa State government has announced some restrictive measures and imposition of curfew to tackle recent upsurge in incidents of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the State.
The Spokesperson of Bayelsa State Police Command, Superintendent of Police Asinim Butswat, said in a statement that the measures were agreed upon at the State Security Council as part of drastic security measures to curb crimes in the State.
One of the measures was a ban on the use vehicles with tinted glasses and covered number plates throughout the State.
Also, the State has re-imposed curfew on Yenagoa, particularly the entry and exit points along the East-West Road from 10pm to 6am daily and while reiterating that imposition of curfew from 7pm to 6am in the waterways in the State is still in force.
Btswat said: “Henceforth, vehicles with tinted glasses and covered number plates are banned from operating throughout the State.”
He said owners of vehicles with factory fitted tinted glasses having permits are warned to revalidate the permits at the Police Headquarters Yenagoa to avoid subsequent arrest and prosecution.
Also in place is the “ban on the use of Sienna cars with tinted glasses throughout the State from 7pm to 6am.”
The Police Spokesperson said the ban on use of motorcycles within Yenagoa Capital City is still in force and owners of motorcycles are advised to adhere to the ban or stand the risk of being arrested, prosecuted and the motorcycles impounded.
On the waterways, he reiterated that ban on the use of speedboats with 200 Horse Power Engines is also still in force.
The Police Spokesperson added that the Command would soon commence the enforcement of the security measures to ensure the safety of the lives and properties.
“The State Police Command is, therefore, soliciting the co-operation and understanding of the public as officers and men would commence conducting stop and search to ensure compliance with the above measures in order to make Bayelsa State a safe and secured place for all to live and engage in businesses for development. To be for warned is to be for armed,” the Police warned.