Firm denies allegations of terrorism in Bayelsa

A surveillance security firm working for oil multinational in Bayelsa State, Darlon Security and Guards Ltd, has denied allegations by the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, that it was engaging in acts of terrorism.

Dickson while speaking at a pro-environmental campaign tagged, Rise for Bayelsa, accused the firm and its Chairman, Mr. David Lyon, of sponsoring violence and running a parallel government in the state.

But the firm in a statement in Yenagoa signed by its Head of Operations, Mr. Wilson Clifford, denied the state government’s allegations against Lyon.

“The allegations show the height of desperation on the state government’s frantic bid to pull down Mr. Lyon, whose only crime is being a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC”, Clifford said in the statement.

The firm boasted that it had contributed immensely in reducing crime by employing over 5000 youths in the state.

Clifford said: “For the records, we’d like to emphatically state that, Darlon Security and Guards Ltd is a law abiding organization, that operates strictly within the confines of its contractual terms, which is the protection of oil pipelines in parts of the state.

“The diligence, with which we execute our operations in line with our terms of reference, has seen the earnings of the state improve tremendously, as well as eliminate criminal activities from our creeks.

“It is an established fact that the entire Swamp Area, with notoriety for crude oil theft, illegal refineries and pipeline vandalism in the past, is now a haven of peace, thanks to the operations of Darlon Security and Guards Ltd. We, therefore, take exception to Governor Dickson’s phantom allegations against us.

“If the about 5000 persons employed by Darlon Security and Guards Ltd, is what Governor Dickson considers as running a parallel government, then we plead guilty to providing livelihood for thousands of Bayelsans.

“We’d like to state unequivocally, that our chairman, Hon. David Lyon is a peace loving man, who has never engaged in any act of terrorism, and would never engage in such an act.

“Darlon Security and Guards Ltd, is not new to these kind of spurious politically motivated allegations, we have been vindicated in the past, and shall continue to be vindicated, as these allegations are simply products of Dickson’s imaginations.

“We strongly advise Governor Dickson to free himself from his petty and vindictive brand of Politics, being a so called “true Ijaw man” as he is being referred to by his close friends.

“Darlon Security and Guards Ltd will continue to work within the ambit of the laws of the land as always. We pledge to continually remain law abiding in our dearly beloved state and nation, and will strive continuously, to protect our before-now ravaged environment, and improve on the livelihood of our people.“