There was tension in Bayelsa State yesterday, following the presence of armed troops at the Kaima Community of Kolokuma/Opokuma local government over threats by the militant groups to hoist a flag and declare a separatist republic in the region.
Kaima community, venue of the 1998 declaration by Ijaw youths for the emancipation of the region, was taken over by security agents led by armed personnel of the Military Task Force known as ‘Operation Delta Safe.’
Residents of Kaima Community confirmed to LEADERSHIP that the movement of troops to the community started on Saturday night with a stop-and-search operation on vehicles moving along a section of the East-West road.
The president of the Ijaw Youth Council, Udengs Eradiri, however denied knowledge of the planned hoisting of a Niger Delta Republic flag.
Attempts to get reactions from the spokespersons of the security agencies failed as they refused to comment on the development.
Inhabitants of the communities however confirmed that the movement of troops had thrown the area into panic as many have abandoned their homes and relocated to the state capital, Yenagoa.
A native, Miss Preye Angari, said though the movement of troops surprised many locals, the community’s leadership had alerted the state government on the development.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the federal government had on Friday, confirmed the gradual deployment of troops into strategic positions in the Niger Delta region and the possible use of force against the new militants who had been attacking and destroying oil and gas pipelines if the ongoing dialogue between the groups and representatives of the government fail.
It has also unveiled its sustained security plan in the region to tackle militancy and other criminal activities with the proposed recruitment of natives of oil bearing communities of the Niger Delta into the local arm of the Joint Military Task Force, the setting up of emergency military brigade team to respond to attacks and engage the militants and the engagement of trained Amnesty beneficiaries in intelligence gathering in the region.
The minister of defence, Mansur Mohammad Dan-Ali, while speaking in Yenagoa, during a visit to the Governor Dickson, confirmed that the military was engaged in special personnel rotation and deployment within strategic areas of the Niger Delta. He added that the newly formulated security plan and infrastructure for the region would be community driven with natives of oil bearing communities serving as local JTF and intelligence components.
On the possibility using force against the Niger Delta militants if the ongoing dialogue with the federal government fails, Dan-Ali responded by saying, ‘it cannot be ruled out.”
Chief of defence staff, Gen. A.G. Olonishakin also told journalists after the call on the governor that the military was on ground in the Niger Delta region and ready take on the militants.
Like Us on Facebook!
0 comments:
Post a Comment