Posted by By Emma Amaize & Sam Oyadongha on
THE Federal Government has deployed soldiers in Amabolou, the traditional headquarters of Egbesu, the Ijaw deity of war in the old Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Yenagoa - THE Federal Government has deployed soldiers in Amabolou, the traditional headquarters of Egbesu, the Ijaw deity of war in the old Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The combat-ready soldiers moved into the community in 10 gunboats and their presence created fresh tension among the natives. Although it could not be immediately ascertained why the military men from the Joint Military Taskforce, 'Operation Restore Hope" were drafted into the riverine community, Vanguard however learnt that it might not be unconnected with the unfolding drama in the predominantly riverine state.
However, unconfirmed report has it that the deployment of the soldiers from the military base in Warri to Amabolou might have been caused by the near state of insecurity in the community said to have been taken over by one of the outlawed cult groups.
There had been rumors in the past of alleged plan to use federal security forces to reduce the community to rubbles on account of what sources described as fears that the Ijaw may have been drawing their inspiration from the Egbesu deity, the Ijaw god of war.
A source from the community told Vanguard that the presence of the soldiers was causing fresh panic in the community with families relocating to neighbouring communities for fear of possible outbreak of hostilities between the outlaws and the security forces.
The presence of the military men in the riverine community, it was gathered, also caused a stir in government circles as the state government was not aware of their deployment until the news filtered into Yenagoa.
The state Commissioner for Information, Culture, Tourism and Strategy, Mr. Oronto Douglas who spoke to Vanguard confirmed the deployment of the military in Amabolou. His words, 'we are informed that military men have been moved to Amabolou. We are expecting details. From information that we received we understand ten military boats were sent to that small community."