Niger Delta militants attack, disarm NSCDC operatives

The Bayelsa Government on Thursday confirmed and condemned the attack on operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state by suspected militants engaged in oil theft.

The condemnation was contained in a press statement issued by Mr Doubara Atasi, Senior Special Assistant to Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

This followed a meeting with NSCDC officials, community leaders and stakeholders from the area at Government House, Yenagoa.

Unidentified gunmen had ambushed and attacked a team of NSCDC personnel engaged them in a gun battle that led to the loss of weapons and abducted one of the personnel.

The members of the Amabulou community however rescued the personnel who had been disarmed while the suspected militants escaped with the arms.

The state government, according to the statement,  said it would not hesitate to wield the big stick  against any community found culpable for aiding and abetting crime and criminality in the state.

The Deputy Governor directed community leaders to work closely with security agencies to identify and expose the criminal elements within the community to improve on the prevailing peace.

Ewhrudjakpo emphasised the need for effective collaboration between community leaders, security agencies and the government to safeguard lives and prosperity in the state.

He said stakeholders including traditional rulers, youth leaders and community development committee (CDC) chairmen have a critical role to play for any security arrangement to succeed.

Ewhrudjakpo assured the NSCDC that the government would leave no stone unturned to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators promising to consult the Governor with a view to setting up a committee that would look into the Amabulou issue.

He warned that the government would deal decisively with community leaders who provide a haven for pipeline vandals, pirates and other criminals to carry out their operations.

“Our community leaders should understand that they also have a lot of responsibilities.  As a CDC chairman, you have a duty to protect government facilities in your community.

“Your duty as youth president includes identifying criminal elements in the community and reporting them to the CDC chairman, the ruler, elders of the community and even security agencies, and not to share in royalties.” Ewhrudjakpo said.

The statement quoted the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, CP Akpoebi Agberebi (Rtd), as applauding the community for the rescue efforts as well as condemning the attack on the NSCDC officials.

Atasi also quoted the state Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant Christiana Abiakam-Omanu, ro have commended the good-hearted indigenes of Amabulou who helped to rescue some of her personnel.

According to the statement, Abiakam-Omanu reportedly noted that the NSCDC enjoyed a cordial relationship with the community which led to the rescue operation and pledged to work with them in tracing those behind the criminal act to bring them to book.