Jitoboh, who also addressed a stakeholders’ meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess in Yenagoa, the state capital, said the task force was initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari and carried out by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali.

He said the task force was charged with the responsibility to proactively scuttle the plans of secessionist organisations in the region.

Jitoboh, who is the DIG, Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, noted that Bayelsa had been the safest state among the South-South states.

Jitoboh also addressed a stakeholders’ meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess in Yenagoa, the state capital, said the task force was initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari and carried out by the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali.

He said the task force was charged with the responsibility to proactively scuttle the plans of secessionist organisations in the region.

Jitoboh, who is the DIG, Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, noted that Bayelsa had been the safest state among the South-South states.

He said, “The purpose of the task force is to quash on time the secessionist agenda of some unscrupulous people. The president has drummed it and he has been singing it that this country will remain as one entity.

“And we all that Nigeria is a beautiful and wonderful country and we will continue to remain as one, in love and unity. It is based on this background that the president established this Operation Restore Peace to restore the peace that is almost being shattered by some secessionists.

In all the South-South states, Bayelsa happens to be the safest. Bayelsa State has not recorded any incident of secessionist activities.”

He, therefore, lauded the AIG in charge of Zone 16, Austin Agbonlahor and the Commissioner of Police Mike Okoli as well as officers and men of the state command for the feat and encouraged them to maintain the tempo.

Earlier in his remarks, Okoli said the command had not recorded any death even as no policeman lost his life during the EndSARS protests.

He attributed the relative peace in the state to the gallantry and tireless efforts of officers and the cooperation and support of stakeholders, including the Police Community Relations Committee.