Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on citizens and residents of the state to be vigilant due to the security situation in parts of the country.

He also warned that the state would not be a safe haven for purveyors of violence even as he restated the ban on open grazing of cattle.

Speaking during the 33rd Executive Council meeting inside the Exco Chambers of Government House in Yenagoa, he said the government would stand against anyone bent on destroying the existing peace in the state.

A press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as describing security as everybody’s business.

He urged people of the state not to hesitate to avail the security agencies of necessary information to help tackle insecurity.

The governor expressed appreciation to the various arms of government and Bayelsans at large for their role in ensuring that the state remained peaceful and called for all hands to be on deck to sustain the prevailing peace.

He noted that as a state in dire need of development, it cannot afford the destruction of public and private properties, stressing that Bayelsa was in a race to meet up with other states.

His words: “I appreciate all Bayelsans, leaders and followers alike for ensuring that the state is one of the most peaceful in Nigeria.

“We are a people in dire need of development. We are in a race to catch up other states. So, we cannot afford to destroy anything that is an edifice of development in Bayelsa.

“I call on all of us to be vigilant and to keep an eye to protect our state from any group of persons bent on violence.

“As Ijaw people, we are peace loving. We welcome visitors. However, this state would not welcome anyone that wants to destroy our peace. This state would stand against anybody who imports violence to Bayelsa.”

The state helmsman assured that his government would continue to accord priority to protection of lives and property.

On the issue of open grazing, Governor Diri said it remained banned in the state and thanked the committee for a job well done.

He said the law against open grazing had come to stay and would be enforced in the interest of peace and security of the state.

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