OIL WELLS IMBROGLIO; JTF ASSURES BAYELSA, RIVERS COMMUNITIES OF ADEQUATE SECURITY

OIL WELLS IMBROGLIO; JTF ASSURES BAYELSA, RIVERS COMMUNITIES OF ADEQUATE SECURITY  

The operatives of the Joint Military Task Force, (Operation Pulo Shield) has assured the people of Oluasiri and Soku communities in Bayelsa and Rivers states of adequate security, in spite of disagreement over the ownership of disputed oil wells.  

This is just as the Bayelsa state government approved the acquisition of more gunboats to combat crime on the state waterways.  Speaking at the end of a State Security Council meeting, JTF Commander, Major General Johnson Ochoga assured that the  presence of the JTF in the 9 Niger Delta states was to ensure adequate security of lives and property.

He allayed the fears of the people of Oluasiri stating that the fact that there was a deployment of JTF at Soku axis and none in Oluasiri did not mean that they were not protected.“The aspect that actually concerns the JTF is the fact that we are told that the community of Oluasiri is worried that they have JTF deployment at Soku but there is no immediate deployment with them.” “I want to use this opportunity to assure them that just like the JTF covers the nine states of the Niger Delta, JTF is on ground to protect lives and property within the nine states that we are covering and whether the deployment is at Soku or Oluasiri, we are there for all of them. Suffice it to say that if there are issues of security challenges they can reach us and we will take appropriate measures.”

 According to the JTF Commander, the fact that they have physical deployment at Soku should not bother them because the JTF is there for all and sundry. 

Also speaking on the security situation in the state, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kings Omire said the state government directed the acquisition of more gunboats in addition to what has already been delivered to ensure adequate coverage of the waterways.

His words, “the entire waterways in Bayelsa have been mapped out to identify areas where we have security challenges”. Decision was taken that at the next Security Council meeting, all areas where we have security challenges, though they are not entirely new, be brought to council. 

Mr. Omire noted that government was also concerned regarding the Supreme Court judgement vis-a-vis Soku and Oluasiri axis and directed the Police and other security agencies to reach out to the community leaders in the areas and assure them of their protection.  

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State