YENAGOA – In a strategic leadership transition, the Bayelsa State Police Command has a new helmsman. Commissioner of Police Daniel Iyamah formally assumed duty on Friday, January 2, 2026, succeeding Francis Idu, who has been elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG). This change comes at a critical juncture for the Niger Delta state, where security dynamics are uniquely shaped by its geography and economy.
In his inaugural address, CP Iyamah immediately framed the core challenge: policing Bayelsa is not a conventional task. He identified three defining characteristics of the state’s security landscape that demand a tailored approach. First, the state’s vast and intricate network of waterways serves as both a lifeline and a vulnerability. These creeks and rivers facilitate not only legitimate commerce but also clandestine activities like sea piracy, crude oil theft, and the movement of illicit arms, making traditional land-based policing insufficient.
Second, the presence of critical national oil and gas infrastructure transforms local criminal acts into matters of economic sabotage with national repercussions. Third, the state’s vibrant and sizable youth population presents both a potential asset for community policing and a risk factor if grievances over unemployment and marginalisation are not addressed. “Our strategies must be adaptive, inclusive, and responsive to both conventional and emerging challenges,” Iyamah stated, acknowledging this complex triad.
The new Commissioner brings a significant advantage to the role: intimate familiarity with the terrain. Having previously served in Bayelsa as Deputy Commissioner in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and later as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Iyamah is not a newcomer. “I am aware of the existing security issues,” he affirmed, pledging to “decisively improve the current architecture.” This prior experience suggests he understands the nuanced interplay between criminal networks, community tensions, and economic drivers in the region.
Outlining his operational priorities, CP Iyamah declared a zero-tolerance stance on major crimes. His directive explicitly targets the quartet of kidnapping, armed robbery, sea piracy, and the illegal possession of firearms. Furthermore, he gave specific orders for officers to “firmly and decisively” tackle crimes that directly attack the nation’s economic backbone: pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and illegal artisanal refining (often referred to as “kpo-fire”).
Beyond reactive measures, Iyamah highlighted a proactive, preventive policing philosophy. He plans to apply intelligence-driven measures to manage simmering inter-communal tensions, youth-related disturbances, and the ever-present potential for election-related conflicts. This approach aims to address root causes and de-escalate situations before they erupt into violence, thereby maintaining a broader peace.
Recognising that police effectiveness is hamstrung without public trust, the CP made a direct appeal to Bayelsa residents. He called for sustained community partnership through the provision of timely, credible intelligence, cooperation with officers on duty, and active promotion of peace within local communities. This appeal underscores a modern policing ethos that views the public as stakeholders, not mere subjects.
In his valedictory remarks, the outgoing Commissioner, now AIG Francis Idu, charged officers of the command to extend their full cooperation to the new CP. He also emphasised the continued necessity of inter-agency collaboration with other security services—such as the Navy, Army, and Department of State Services—for the integrated safety and security of Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta region.
The leadership change signals a period of strategic continuity and focused intensification. CP Daniel Iyamah’s mandate is clear: to secure a complex, fluid environment where community welfare, national economic interests, and regional stability are inextricably linked. His success will depend on translating these comprehensive plans into actionable, community-supported outcomes on the ground.
Reported by Shedrack Frank for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Abiemwense Moru.
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