Tension Mounts In Delta As Military Anchors Gun Boats at Tompolo, Oporoza Creeks
Tension mounts in Delta as the Nigerian Navy has 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 of Delta state.
Our correspondent in a chat with Barrister Gideon Mulade from the Escravos
River claimed that the Navy are harassing and intimidating speedboats,
passengers plying the river routes and 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 into the
matter, noting that election is taking place in Bayelsa and not Delta state
therefore the security agents should go to Bayelsa creeks and police
that area and not Delta.
Mulade disclosed that there is no election taking place in Delta state and
wondered why the military chose to pose threat and tension in the minds of the
people living peacefully among themselves.
While Speaking to the Spokesman (FIYEWEI) of Gbaramatu Kingdom, via a
telephone chat, High Chief Godspower Gbenekama 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 by
their rules 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 however worried when the
National chairman of APC was using Tompolo's name in their 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
excreta to fill Noah's canoe, are the same people that have cleaned the
same canoe with their body because of leprosy''.
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
to everybody in Gbaramatu kingdom to go about their normal businesses
without fear or molestation.
The Spokesman also urged the military to ensure that "nobody is
manhandled in any part of Gbaramatu during their operation. He pointed
out that "Gbaramatu is peaceful because there is collaboration between
the traditional institution and the military and that its important to ensure
peace is sustained".
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