Posted by By Okafor Ofiebor /Port Harcourt on
The commander of the Joint TaskForce, JTF, Brigadier-General Yakin Sarkin Bello, has reaffirmed that the militia leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante group, Mr. Ateke Tom, and Soboma George, leader of The Outlaw, remain wanted by the Rivers state government, as far as the JTF is concerned.
The commander of the Joint TaskForce, JTF, Brigadier-General Yakin Sarkin Bello, has reaffirmed that the militia leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante group, Mr. Ateke Tom, and Soboma George, leader of The Outlaw, remain wanted by the Rivers state government, as far as the JTF is concerned.
The commander gave the explanation in a briefing in Port Harcourt, when he was told that Mr. Mike Okiro, the Inspector-General of Police, has said that Ateke is free to testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, headed by retired Justice Kayode Esho, as he and other militia leaders in the state are no more wanted by the police.
On the accusation of unprofessionalism in the attacks on militant camps, Brigadier-General Bello said JTF's operations are guided strictly by the rules of engagement. Against the backdrop of increased violent activities of bandits, who masquerade as freedom fighters and militants in the Niger Delta, an Ijaw leader has threatened to resort to the use of Egbesu, the Ijaw war deity, to smoke out criminal gangs from their hiding places, unless they stop the alarming rate of sea piracy, rape, cultism, armed banditry and kidnappings. Comrade Alali Horsefall, the Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide, Eastern Zone, the umbrella body of all Ijaw youths, has said that the genuine fighters for the freedom of the region have been given bad names by hoodlums who are kidnapping for money. He said that the Ijaw youths can no longer stand by and watch criminals debase the whole essence of the struggle. According to Horesfall, 'It is my ardent belief that if this ugly incident is not nipped in the bud, it will degenerate into an unbearable level and definitely have an adverse effect on the psyche of our younger generation. It is on this strength that I am giving them a grace of 90 days to either desist from all these acts of criminality or be ready to incur the wrath of Egbesu.'
Comrade Horsefall condemned the activities of the Joint Task Force for what he called the 'brute force being employed by the men of the JTF, and the incessant attacks and killing of innocent and defenceless citizens in the name of attacking militants. 'He queried the achievements of the JTF since they started their operation in the region. He then called for amnesty for the militants who will genuinely repent, so that they will integrate with the society.