ASABA — If government and security agencies had taken concerted action on the several petitions against an alleged militant leader and crude oil thief who banished a monarch from his kingdom in Bayelsa State, years ago, they would, probably, have averted the March 14 killing of 17 military personnel at Okuama in Delta State, Vanguard investigations have revealed.
“Accordingly, the state governments and host communities of these personalities are required to assist the investigation in flushing them out. a militant group, Amagbein Force, suspected to have killed the 17 military personnel at Okuama, Delta State, on March 14, demanded that the federal government hand over waterways security to it.The Army had tracked the militant leader to the Igbomotoru community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, last week, but did not find him.
“It was my opposition to this militant group that made them force me out of the community on self-exile.” “Since that time, there have been problems. They did not allow me to visit my community for almost three years; they threatened my life and I escaped. I only get to the community when I have an incident of death of my relations, that has been the trend till the present issue of killing soldiers at Okuama.
“As a paramount ruler and somebody who has served in the Nigerian Army and retired, I must always report any act of lawlessness to the authorities, if not it means I am involved. He pleaded with the authorities to wade in and mop up arms and ammunition in possession of these non-state actors to give the community and people a new lease of life.
“The people to date, have not experienced any positive change in their attitude or behaviour. The people at the receiving end are pained, helpless, and uncertain, with the situation worsening over the days and months. “As earlier reported in the reference above, he is now the sole crude oil bunkerer, and artisanal refining guru in the Igbomotoru axis of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited, trunk 18 inches diameter crude oil Tebidaba/Igbomotoru/Brass Pipeline. The returns are unimaginable.
“At that point, I realized I could be shot dead in the shrine, so I succumbed to save my life and took the oath,’’ he said. “As it is now, the people are intimidated and brutalized to submission and, in some cases, chased out of their ancestral homes.