Posted by By Okafor Ofiebor /Port Harcourt on
After a careful analysis of the criminal activities of militants in Rivers State, who spread terror by kidnapping innocent persons and engaging in illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, has strongly advocated for the use of force to tackle the malaise.
After a careful analysis of the criminal activities of militants in Rivers State, who spread terror by kidnapping innocent persons and engaging in illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, has strongly advocated for the use of force to tackle the malaise.
Amaechi said it amounts to cheating of the other law-abiding and harmless citizens by a few, who think that they have monopoly of violence and can unleash terror unchallenged by the government or anybody. He said that it is the responsibility of government to protect lives and property, and such government should not be afraid to take decisions considered as harsh if it is for the general good of all.
Explaining why he has ordered for 1,000 additional troops in the state, he said: 'I took oath to protect lives and property. I am not ready to negotiate with criminal gangs who kidnap innocent children and women just for money, while claiming to be fighting for resource control.
'If they kidnap people, giving ultimatum that unless roads, light, schools, hospitals are provided for their areas, they will not release those people, then we shall take them seriously.'
Although the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) has criticised Amaechi for the request of more troops to be drafted to the state, claiming that no matter the number of troops sent, they would still confront the Nigeria Army, the governor insisted that the militants should be confronted headlong.
The governor was speaking at a church service yesterday, organised by a journalist, Mr. Lawrence Heyford, the Associate Director of The Source magazine and Chairman, Correspondents Chapel, Rivers State.
Amaechi lamented that MEND or other militants are now driving away Julius Berger who are doing sensitive jobs in the state.
According to the Governor, 'You don't just know what these boys want. They are not ready to go to school or learn a trade. They don't want to drop their arms. They are after company developing their areas.
'At the last count, Shell had retrenched 500 workers. Julius Berger may retrench 4,500 workers, most of them from Niger Delta and many other oil servicing companies are already packing out of the area. Who will develop the state?' he asked.
He said he is not afraid to confront the problem of the state because he is not going for any popularity contest, or bothered about second term.
He promised to do what is right and step on toes and provide security for people who are living and doing businesses in the state within his four-year tenure. Throughout his assignment yesterday, Governor Amaechi was driving himself on the streets of Port Harcourt while his security men and other aides were following him.