District authorities in the Lower River Region (LRR) Thursday unanimously called for the decentralisation of Operation Bulldozer, in order to reduce criminal activities such as drug trafficking, armed robbery, cattle rustling and other criminal activities in the region.

At a meeting held with the Operation Bulldozer team at the Mansakonko Area Council in Soma, district authorities hailed the initiation of Operation Bulldozer and commended the Gambian leader for combating criminality in the country.

Speaking at the meeting, the chief of Jarra West, Yaya Jarjusey, also applauded the Gambian leader for the initiative, adding that it is meant to protect the country from criminals. “Left to me alone I would want the Bulldozer to have a base in all the Districts in LRR,” he remarked.

Chief Jarjusey said that drug has the potential to destroy young people in society, while indicating that the initiative has come to save the life and properties of the people. He described cattle rustling as another major problem in the region, adding that ifthe team has a base in the region, illegalactivities such as cattle rustling will become a thing of the past.

For his part, Demba Kinteh, alkalo of Pakalinding, said that drug has a negative effect on young people, while calling for the public to cooperate with theteam. He also urged the people to give information to the operatives of Bulldozer so that drug traffickers and other unscrupulous individuals can be arrested.

Alhaji Seedy Cham, APRC Constituency chairman for Jarra West, spoke about the importance of giving out information to the Bulldozer operatives. He challenged the district authorities not to sit on information that could be relevant.

Alhaji Wandifa Jawara, alkalo of Jiffin, said the youths of the village recently took a very bold step in eradicating drug trafficking in his village. He described cattle rustling as a challenge and therefore urged Operation Bulldozer team to continue to wipe out criminals and criminality in the country.

On his part, Dulo Bah, alkalo of Sikanteh village also applauded the initiative of the team, while describing cattle rustling as their biggest constraint in the area. He disclosed that some of the cattle rustlers do seek refuge in Soma, making it difficult for them to trace them out.

Other speakers at the meeting included Lamin Saro Jammeh, alkalo of Sey Kunda, Momodou Saidykhan, alkalo of Kani Kunda, Bakary Seedy Jobe, alkalo of Jarra Karantaba and Momodou Sanyang, alkalo of Jenoi.