My life under threat, says ex-militant leader
There was tension yesterday in Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the deployment of soldiers in the area.
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.”
In a statement,
Ajube said: “I think I am just a victim of my magnanimous efforts
towards peace in the riverine areas of the state and even beyond. Here I
am, cooperating with the federal government to stop pipeline vandalism
and illegal bunkering in the coastal areas and beyond.
“While I
am being hunted by the vandals and their sponsors for standing up
against criminality, the government has opted to launch a manhunt for me
for highly unclear reasons.
“I have lost not only resources but
painfully too, youths who chose to partner with me in this noble cause
have lost their lives with several widows and fatherless children left
for me to cater for.
“All I can say is that this move is aimed at
diverting my attention from the path I have chosen to? walk since
accepting the federal government amnesty offer. But I will not. If the
federal government deems it fit to brand me in a manner to implicate me
for unknown reasons through this unclear mission, so be it.”
http://thenationonlineng.net/tension-in-ondo-community-over-pipeline-attacks/
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