Tension in Ondo Community Over Pipeline Attacks
The
strong presence of soldiers around oil pipelines to prevent incidences
of attacks from suspected militants is currently generating fear and
outrage among locals
There was tension yesterday in Ese Odo
Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the deployment of
soldiers in the area, according to the Nation.
The soldiers were believed to have been deployed following the sabotage of pipelines by suspected former militants in Delta State.
Also, the Arogbo Ijaw National Front raised the alarm of a looming inter-ethnic hostilities and robbery in the area. It noted that operatives of a local anti-vices outfit, Gallery Security Services, pulled out of their duty posts because of the presence of the soldiers.
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of the anti vices outfit, a frontline commander of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Bibopre Ajube, has raised the alarm that his life is also being threatened.
Officials of the Eso Odo local government have also expressed fears over the presence of the soldiers in some parts of the council which they claim has created anxiety.
A statement by the Arogbo Ijaw National Front President, Chief James Akubirisei, said the soldiers’ presence has forced away the local waterways vigilante team.
The statement reads: "The reported continued search for the founder of Gallery Security Services is already heating up the security in the area because the man has contributed to the peace of the riverine than any other individual. He has made efforts aimed at ensuring peace in the riverine area and the way and manner he is being hunted is a matter of concern to all and sundry.
"We are appealing to the military authorities to recall these soldiers because their presence, which has forced out Gallery outfit vigilantes from their posts, is already creating fears of possible inter-ethnic hostilities and even armed robbery in the riverine areas of Ondo state.
"As a man who has committed his resources and time to curb criminality even beyond Ondo State, the search for him is curious and suspicious. We are compelled to say that this development is orchestrated by selfish politicians who are bent on getting Chief Ajube out of the way in view of the forthcoming governorship election in the state."
The soldiers were believed to have been deployed following the sabotage of pipelines by suspected former militants in Delta State.
Also, the Arogbo Ijaw National Front raised the alarm of a looming inter-ethnic hostilities and robbery in the area. It noted that operatives of a local anti-vices outfit, Gallery Security Services, pulled out of their duty posts because of the presence of the soldiers.
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of the anti vices outfit, a frontline commander of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Bibopre Ajube, has raised the alarm that his life is also being threatened.
Officials of the Eso Odo local government have also expressed fears over the presence of the soldiers in some parts of the council which they claim has created anxiety.
A statement by the Arogbo Ijaw National Front President, Chief James Akubirisei, said the soldiers’ presence has forced away the local waterways vigilante team.
The statement reads: "The reported continued search for the founder of Gallery Security Services is already heating up the security in the area because the man has contributed to the peace of the riverine than any other individual. He has made efforts aimed at ensuring peace in the riverine area and the way and manner he is being hunted is a matter of concern to all and sundry.
"We are appealing to the military authorities to recall these soldiers because their presence, which has forced out Gallery outfit vigilantes from their posts, is already creating fears of possible inter-ethnic hostilities and even armed robbery in the riverine areas of Ondo state.
"As a man who has committed his resources and time to curb criminality even beyond Ondo State, the search for him is curious and suspicious. We are compelled to say that this development is orchestrated by selfish politicians who are bent on getting Chief Ajube out of the way in view of the forthcoming governorship election in the state."
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