Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson on Monday in Yenagoa urged security agencies to arrest political leaders who sponsor criminals.

According to him, such political leaders should also be prosecuted like the criminals they sponsor to perpetuate crime against innocent citizens in the society.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei stated that Dickson made the suggestion during a courtesy call on him by the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Alhassan.

The Governor said: “It is our position in this state that crime is crime and security agencies should arrest and treat political leaders who are sponsoring criminals as common criminals because that is what they are.”

The Governor also called on the Naval authorities to intensify efforts to improve maritime security in the waters of the state.

Dickson enjoined the Navy to rise effectively to the challenges of sea piracy, kidnapping, oil theft, vandalism and related maritime crimes.

“I count on you to combat and bring down to the barest minimum, the cases of piracy in the waters, cases of kidnapping, the oil theft, the vandalism of strategic national assets and so forth,” he added

The Governor who commended the Federal Government for the establishment of the Central Naval Command said that the Navy had a major responsibility in the maintenance maritime security and stability.

Dickson stressed that his administration had always emphasised the pertinence of law and order because of the need to preserve the foundation for peace, security, stability and development established by the government over the last six years.

According to him, the Navy’s role in supporting development in the state, the Niger Delta and the entire country could not be overemphasised.

Dickson commended the Navy’s action against the scourge of sea piracy in Koluama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

He demanded the establishment of a naval outpost at Oluasiri and Agge in Nembe and Ekeremor Local Government Areas of the state respectively to strengthen the onslaught on maritime crime.

“While thanking you for your record in Koluama, I wish to inform you we intend working with you to support the establishment of another outpost at the Oluasiri end at the Eastern part and we also need a strong naval presence at Agge in the West.

“If there is any arm of our nation’s security system whose strength is critical to the maintenance of stability, it is the Navy. So this state will continue to partner with the Nigerian Navy.”

Earlier, Admiral Alhassan had commended the Governor for his sustained support to the activities of the service, and the military in the state.

He lauded the Governor for donating a property for the building of a Naval Secondary School in Yenagoa.