Over 200 ex-militant fighters under the aegis of the Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (PCDI) have pledged to work with the Bayelsa State government and the security agencies to halt the trend of kidnapping and other forms of violent crime in the State.
Over 200 ex-militant fighters under the aegis of the Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (PCDI) have pledged to work with the Bayelsa State government and the security agencies to halt the trend of kidnapping and other forms of violent crime in the State.
The support was in response to the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity along the waterways of the State.
The leader of PCDI, Jepthah Kalaiti, made the pledge during a courtesy call to the Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson.
Mr. Kalaiti informed Governor Dickson that PCDI had organized themselves into operational groups to combat kidnappings in the State and mischief makers during the upcoming election. He stressed that PDCI have lived and worked together as a group, and therefore will be able to work in synergy.
In his response, Governor Dickson reiterated his commitment to the peace and development of the State, as no meaningful development could take place in the atmosphere of a crisis.
He therefore solicited the partnership of ex-militant leaders in putting an end to the spike in kidnappings in some parts of the State.
Governor Dickson stressed that PDCI’s wealth of experience as freedom fighters, their youth, and their knowledge of the creeks and hinterlands would be needed to stem the activities of criminals in the State and the region.