WARRI —FEAR has gripped residents of Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta
State, as hundreds have relocated following the deployment of soldiers, who shot randomly in the area, weekend. The Ibebenemowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, and chairman of Kokodiagbene community, Mr Sheriff Mulade, said, yesterday, that the people were scared.
According to Gbenekama, who is also acting spokesperson of Gbaramatu Traditional Council, GTC: “Up till 10a.m., today (yesterday), the full detachment of military has not actually invaded our communities, but pockets of military men have been terrorizing our communities, shooting indiscriminately into the communities from the waterfront.
“This has caused panic in Gbaramatu communities. I have just been informed that there is a military detachment leaving Warri for the creeks. What they are going for, we may not know. However, this continuous militarisation of our communities is not the best approach to the present Niger Delta crisis.
“One is surprised at the current government’s intention. If leaders and kings of the Niger Delta have come together to ensure that there is peace and their pleas have been acceded to by the agitators and a ceasefire has been accepted by the agitators, what else does the Federal Government want?
“Let me put it on record that up till now, the Federal Government is yet to set up a committee to dialogue with the people of the Niger Delta. This militarisation is a way of inciting the Niger Delta people so that any negative reaction would be an opportunity to call our communities insecure for development, hence it could be bombarded.
“To the military, their visit to the Olu of Warri is a good one because it is better to visit a traditional ruler and to intimate him of their activities in the area. However, Gbaramatu people are not subservient to the Olu of Warri, We have our own traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Pere Oboro Gbarun II, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom.”
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