Heavy tension is currently mounting in Niger Delta as Nigerian military under the Nigerian Navy have allegedly laid siege at Escravos, anchoring their gun boats at the front of Oporoza creek the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West, Local Government Area, Delta state.
Igbere TV reports that Barr. Gideon Mulade from the Escravos River said that the Navy are harassing and intimidating speedboats, passengers plying the river routes andĀ fishermen using local hand pulling canoes thereby making life uncomfortable for the people in the area.
He is however afraid that it may lead to another break down of law and order in the peaceful area, he urged the Naval authority to look intoĀ the matter, nothing that election is taking place in Bayelsa and not Delta state therefore the security agents should go toĀ Bayelsa creeks and police that area and not Delta.
Barr. Mulade disclosed that there is no election or what so ever taking place in Delta state and wondered why the military will chose to come and pose threat and tension in the minds of the people living peacefully among themselves.
While Speaking to the Spokesman (FIYEWEI) of Gbaramatu Kingdom, on a telephone chat, High Chief Godspower Gbenekama JP confirmed that the Navy at Escravos said the operation is a routine exercise not to arrest and intimidate anyone in the area, adding that they are allover the river both at Burutu axis keeping surveillance because of the Election coming up weekend in Bayelsa State.
Chief Gbenekama said the Navy commander has assured him that they were not going to enter any community to intimidate or harass anybody but will abide to their roles of engagement, he as well pleaded with the Navy Commander to tell his officers and ratings to be professional while discharging their duties in the area.
The Gbaramatu Kingdom Spokesman (FIYEWEI) was howeverĀ worried when the National chairman of APC was using Tompolo’s name in theirĀ campaign, he wondered when Tompolo became a saviour of the Nigerdelta, when in a few months past he was seen as the worst human being in the Niger Delta. ”Those who used excretaĀ to fill Noah’s canoe, are the same people that have cleaned the same canoeĀ with their body because of leprosy”.Ā
He pleaded with politicians to leave Tompolo alone in their bid to be relevant and acceptable to the people of the Niger Delta, Chief Gbenekama appealed toĀ everybody in Gbaramatu kingdom go about their normal businesses without fear or molestation.
The Spokesman also urgedĀ the military to ensure that “nobody should beĀ manhandled in any partĀ of Gbaramatu during their operation as it concernsĀ theĀ Bayelsa Election as the election is not taking place in ourĀ domain. He pointed out thatĀ “Gbaramatu is peaceful because there is collaboration between the traditional institution and the military and that its important to ensure we sustain and keep this peace”.
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