When in the space of three weeks, five high profile cases of kidnapping were recorded in Bayelsa State, the Seriake Dickson administration had to develop an antidote and reached out to ex-militant leaders and the state security apparatus to assist and stop the ugly trend.
While the leadership of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) insisted that the antidote being proposed with the setting up of a Task Force on Waterway Security, headed by the former deputy leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Ebikabowei Victor-Ben, popularly known along the creeks as Boyloaf, may not be the solution to violent crimes along the waters of the state, others, including the special adviser to the governor on security, Col. Bernard Kenebai argued that the setting up of the Task Force, coupled with the strengthening of the Marine Component of the State Special Security outfit, Door Akpo, may be the solution needed at this time to end crimes along the creeks.
The 11-man special task force, made up of notable leaders among the coalition of ex-militant leaders, including Osei Clever as vice chairman, Tony Ekisa, Pastor Reuben Wilson, Ayibatari Odio, Alalebo West, Ibarakumo Otobo, Daubiri Samba, Chiefson O. Chiefson, Etai Daniel and Pius Andabai Wariyai, is expected to secure creeks and waterways in the state against violent crimes.
The task force, which came barely few days after the coalition of ex-militant leaders in the state assisted men of the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to secure the release of three high profile victims, including the 90-year-old mother of Senator Emmanuel Paulker and the younger brother of the speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Kombowei Benson, is expected to tackle the rising incidence of kidnapping, sea piracy, illegal bunkering and oil pipeline vandalism in recent times in the state.
Governor Dickson, who expressed deep concern over the rising cases of insecurity in the waterways, called on community leaders, youths and the general public to be vigilant and cooperate with the special task force as well as the various security agencies to flush out the perpetrators of criminal activities in the waters.
Meanwhile, Governor Dickson has also approved the setting up of a Special Marine Component of the State Security outfit known as Door Akpor. The marine component is expected to be headed by a serving naval officer from the state.
According to the governor, the date for the inauguration of the special task force and the leadership of Operation Door Akpor Marine will be announced later, with both bodies to function under the direct supervision and coordination of the special adviser to the governor on security matters, Colonel Bernard Kenebai (rtd).
The constitution of the new Task Force on Waterways Security was based on the effort of the ex-militant leaders who intervened in the rising cases of kidnapping in the state and assisted the men of the State Police Command to secure the release of three high profile victims including a British expatriate working for Conoil Nigeria Limited.
The intervention of the ex-militant leaders under the aegis of the South-South Regional Peace Advocacy Group, and the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), led by General (Pastor) Reuben Wilson led to the release of the three victims within five days.
Aside from the British oil worker, the ex-militants in conjunction with the State Police Command and the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, rescued the 90-year-old mother of the senator representing Bayelsa Central senatorial district, Senator Paulker and the younger brother of the speaker of the State House of Assembly, Iniokpeomi Benson.
Confirming the role of the ex-militants in the successes recorded last week, the special adviser to the governor on security, Col. Kenebai, said though the role of the ex-militants was that of intelligence on location, the offer of assistance to the state and the police was commendable, adding, “they offered to help and it was a success. The swift response of the state security apparatus is commendable.”
The national coordinator of LPCDI, General Wilson, who threw more light on the role played by ex-militant leaders in the rescue of the three kidnapped victims, said it was part of their required service for peace and security in the region.
According to Wilson, the ex-freedom fighters liaised with the state security agencies including the police in the area of intelligence gathering which led to pressure on the abductors and the abandonment of the abducted woman at a fishing camp in Azuzuama community of Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.
He commended the state government and the security agencies in the state for giving them the opportunity to serve and assist in the rescue operation of the octogenarian.
The ex-freedom fighters also condemned the rising cases of sea piracy and other violent crimes along the waterways and creeks of Southern Ijaw local government area, calling on the indigenes of the coastal communities to assist security agencies in stemming the ugly tide.
According to the ex-freedom fighters, they are ready to work with security agencies in the state to check sea piracy and other crimes along the waterways and creeks of the state.
Indigenes of the coastal communities have, however, continued to commend the state government for the recent constitution of an 11-man special task force to ensure adequate security of lives and property on the waterways in the state.
Residents of some of the communities where cases of sea piracy, kidnapping and pipeline vandalism were on the increase, expressed relief that security would further be strengthened when the marine component of the state security outfit, Operation Door Akpor becomes operational.
According to Mr Ebiakpo James from Ekeremor local government area, incidents of sea piracy, bunkering, and other related vices would be reduced to the barest minimum with the policing of the creeks and waterways by the task force.
He particularly praised the government for the choice of membership of the task force, which is drawn from experienced persons, who have deep knowledge of the creeks and rivulets criss-crossing the state and have been working closely with security personnel in checking pipeline vandalism and other acts of criminality.
Also in her commendation, Mrs Ebiendu Philip expressed joy that commuters, particularly traders would feel safe to travel on the waterways with their wares, noting that sea piracy and hostage taking have had adverse effects on socio-economic activities in the area.
Mrs Biobelemoye Telimoye and Mr Meindiyo Baralate, who observed that the inaccessibility of the creeks in the hinterlands has remained a major factor contributing to the incessant cases of criminal activities, expressed optimism that with the ongoing construction of the Ogbia-Nembe road, life would be a lot easier for residents of Nembe, Brass and Akassa areas in the state.
They said, “In the absence of security, there will be no meaningful development either from the public or private sector and social and economic activities will come to a standstill.”
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