Security Firm Dismiss Bayelsa Assembly Crime Allegations

Darlon Security and Guards (DSG), an Indigenous security firm dimissed a resolution passed by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly accusing it of criminal acts in its operations at the creeks and swampy areas of the state, describing the allegation as “ill-conceived, malicious, unfounded and politically motivated”.

On July 11, 2018 the Assembly passed a resolution after deliberating on a motion sponsored by a member representing Sagbama constituency 2, Col. Bernard Kenebai (rtd) alleging that the company was involved in criminal acts at the creeks.

However, the resolution which followed a motion under matters of urgent public importance also called on the governor of the state to urgently intervene to stop the alleged killing of innocent citizens in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

In response to the allegation, the security firm said that its personnel do not bear arms, but work with conventional security such as the JTF (Operation Delta Safe), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Nigeria Police and the Department of State Service, DSS, noting that suspects arrested in the course of its duty are handed over to the appropriate authorities forprosecution.

The Public Relations and Security Coordinator, Mr. Preye Oseke in a statement, signed and issued yesterday in Yenagoa the Bayelsa state capital said suspects arrested during the firms operations were handed over to the appropriate security authorities for prosecution.

He however stated that instead of condemning the activities of Darlon Security and Guards, the Assembly should have commended the company for combating the menace of oil thieves in the state.

In addition, he expressed that the firm’s operations changed the narrative in the entire creeks,which hitherto was the hotbed for crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refineries.

Oseke said: “Today, the state revenue has increased sharply with more funds coming to the government coffers through the 13% derivation as a result of increase in crude oil production due to our operations in conjunction with the security agencies in the swamp area.

“In addition, over over 4000 jobless youths have been taken off our creeks and streets through our effort by engaging them in surveillance jobs and also helping to curb illegal refining of stolen crude oil and the attendant destruction of the environment and aquatic lives.

“Also, medical outreaches have been organized at different times for the rural folks in the Swamp Area, while women also are being empowered as part of ourcorporate social responsibilities. It is also an established fact, that multinational oil companies have commenced projects in communities due to the drastic reduction of oil theft in the general area.

“To this end, we consider the motion as sponsored by Hon. Kenebai as ill-conceived, malicious, unfounded and politically motivated all in an attempt to cast aspersion on our genuine efforts to secure the nation’s critical oil and gasassets and discredit us in the public domain.

“The management of Darlon Security and Guard is unperturbed and will not bedistracted and is focused on its core mandate of eliminating all forms ofcriminality against oil & gas facilities in the swamp area.”