How Kidnappers Use Media To Get Ransom In Bayelsa – Dickson

The Bayelsa state governor, Hon. Seriake
Dickson yesterday shocked media
practitioners in the state with the allegation
that some media outfits in the State are
being used by a suspected kidnapping ring
to mount pressure on victims to pay ransom
demanded for the release of loved ones.
Governor Dickson, who failed to identify the
media outfits, claimed that kidnappers were
collaborating with some media outfits to
secure payment of ransom and urged the
people not to succumb to the pressure of
payment of ransom in the event of any
abduction.
Governor Seriake Dickson, in a statement
issued by his Chief Press Secetary, Mr.
Markson Daniel-Iworiso, said “Whether they
are living in Yenagoa or Abuja; or whether
they are traditional rulers or APC or PDP, we
will go after them at the right time. And I
want to use this opportunity to call on media
outfits not to allow themselves to be used to
propagate crime and criminality.”
“ We are witnessing a trend in Bayelsa
where people kidnap and the media will now
be used to put pressure for ransom to be
paid. No ransom payment in this state”, he
said.
Governor Dickson however revealed that
plans were underway to amend the existing
state criminal code to stem the tide of crime.
He said his administration was committed
to zero tolerance for crime and criminality,
he warned those who indulge in acts of
violence and other criminal activities to have
a change of heart, “security was
undermined following the electoral violence
that trailed the last governorship election.”
He added that government “has already
started unveiling its comprehensive strategy
of returning Bayelsa to its days of peace.”
According to him, the recent ban on the use
of 200 horsepower engine boats is one of
the measures being put in place to check
the incidence of kidnapping, sea piracy and
other criminal acts on the state’s
waterways.
Dickson who assured the people of the state
of government’s commitment to rid the state
of kidnapping, pipeline vandalization,
warned youths in some communities who
perpetrate violent activities in the name of
politics to desist forthwith as anyone caught
breaching the peace would be brought to
justice.