Following the continued security challenges in Bayelsa such as sea piracy and kidnapping, the Bayelsa state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has threatened to boycott the coverage of 2015 general elections if measures are not taken to curb the menace.
Traveling in the waterways in major parts of the state has become a source of worry and fear to marine transporters due to the incessant activities of sea pirates and kidnappers who have caused a major havoc in the area.
Speaking yesterday in Yenagoa during the Security Stakeholders Forum organized by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) as part of the activities marking the 2014 Inter-Agency security week, the Bayelsa state NUJ Chairman, Comrade Tarinyo Akuno decried the increasing wave of sea pirates and kidnapping, while describing maritime security as very important to the people.
He pointed out that the issue of sea piracy and kidnapping has become a big challenge for the people and as such has made the people to become apprehensive of their environment.
“Maritime security is becoming very important to Bayelsa. It has become a big challenge for us as the issues of sea pirates are becoming rampant, and we are becoming apprehensive.
We may not cover the 2015 election due to the issue of piracy and other kidnapping activities”, Akuno stated. The NUJ Chairman also condemned the burning of oil and barges seized from the illegal oil bunkerers by the JTF operatives, saying such acts further destroys the environment.
Earlier in his address, the deputy Commander of JTF, Commodore Imeh H. Ekpa noted that the forthcoming Inter-Agency security week slated to hold from August 20 – 22 would give them the platform to discuss the security challenges.
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