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| Alleged kidnapper caught and given jungle treatment by locals. |
Most Bayelsans whose communities are in the Creeks or who
sail in the creeks of Bayelsa State; especially in Brass, Nembe and Southern
Ijaw local government areas would agree that the security situation is more
precarious now than when there was militancy in the Niger Delta Region. During
the era of militancy, it would be recalled that Bayelsa State had more militant
camps than any other state and, most of the camps were situated in the creeks
of Southern Ijaw local government area. It was not just a fact that Southern
Ijaw had more of the militant camps; the leaders of those camps were all indigene
of the local government and they include: General Africa, General Ogunboss,
Pastor Rueben, General Boyloaf, General Joshua Macaiver, Priest Igodo [terror
of the creeks], General Young Shall Grow, and others like Okpotu, etc, etc.
To a large extent then, the militants were under the general
control and command of their leaders and there were rules of engagement. And,
even though there were instances where community folks suffered injuries, death
and discomfort owing to the activities
of militants; cases of Sea piracy and kidnapping of locals were VERY rare; as
the main targets were oil company staff [mostly foreigners] and the military or
the Federal Government. The two main excuses for militancy or the uprising in
the Niger Delta were: Environmental degradation and underdevelopment/gross
neglect by successive governments.
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| Alleged kidnappers caught and given jungle treatment |
It was, however, not difficult for some observers to put
forward that a time would eventually come when locals would become targets of
kidnappers; after the phase of kidnapping foreigners and oil company
staff/contractors for ransom. However, that phase was relatively delayed by
youths getting engaged in Local or bush refineries; locally refining crude oil.
Yet, even before the authorities came down heavily of these local refinery operators;
the region had sailed into the phase whereby public officers and their
relations became victims of kidnap and gradually sea piracy crept in. And so, while some families have paid heavily
to rescue kidnapped victims; some have lost lives and ransom…even as victims
suffer torture, rape and other dehumanizing treatments. Even as this piece is
being written, some known victims are in captivity, in the den of kidnappers;
especially from the Brass axis. These twin crimes have increased lately; making
travels a thing of fear in the creeks. Traders are often molested and wares,
money and other valuables taken away by the criminals [some are even raped]
The Authorities, both Federal and State have not done enough
to contain the unacceptable, sailing ugly situation. There is need for effective collaboration
between government and communities to ensure this threat to lives and property
is eliminated as soon as possible. Unfortunately, even though the Niger Delta
Region, particularly Bayelsa State is highly militarized; the military/Join
Task Force is more interested in their mandate; of protecting National Assets,
oil facilities and ensure unhindered access or flow of crude oil/gas sine crude
oil/gas is the main revenue earner for the country. And so, little or nothing
is done to protect lives of locals and their property.
The subject matter was the main topic of a live, weekly
Radio program, VIEWPOINT on Silverbird Rhythm FM 94.7 this morning, where
Alagoa Morris and the State Chairman of Maritime Workers Union, Comrade Lloyd Sese
featured. Although some who called in indicted the military in the area of extortion
of transporters and traders and doing little or nothing to assist them in
tackling the security challenges, someone sent in this as text while I wrote
this piece and it read:’’ In
the case of Sangana community we have no rest. On Thursday while I was on my
way to the village I was engage by pirates so we divert taking another route to
Kongho community. Then I took a bush part before getting to Sangana .Yesterday was
the same thing; same pirates came to the river and it was the JTF in Igbomotoru
that escort the passengers and the speedboat to Sangana.The escort by the JTF
was not free either, as some quantity of petrol had to be provided for them.
This is the scenario even at the Atlantic shoreline of Sangana. So our
fishermen are finding it difficult to fish now. This is a current issue
bordering the Sangana community, in Brass local government area of Bayelsa
State and; we need help’’.
The question is, WHEN WILL THE Nigerian
government really take the protection of lives and property of citizens as serious as all legitimate and responsible governments should?
Alagoa Morris
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