Posted by By George Onah and Samuel Oyadongha, Yenogoa on
UNCERTAINTY and apprehension reign supreme among the Ijaws and other residents in the coastal fringe of the troubled Niger Delta region, no thanks to the recent kidnapping of four foreigners, killing of soldiers and attacks on Shell flow-stations.
UNCERTAINTY and apprehension reign supreme among the Ijaws and other residents in the coastal fringe of the troubled Niger Delta region, no thanks to the recent kidnapping of four foreigners, killing of soldiers and attacks on Shell flow-stations. To this end, the villagers, especially the youths have been fleeing from their communities for fear of reprisal attack by federal forces.
Without doubt, the people have not forgotten in a hurry the infamous invasion of Odi and the devastation in its wake some six years ago. The talk in the region and other parts of the country was how some armed militants loaded in three canoes, stormed the Shell EA field in the high sea, where the company produces oil from its Sea Eagle vessel to abduct the foreign oil workers.
What is more worrisome is that this current kidnap has a new dimsension. Prior to now, the kidnappers had oftentimes pointed to the exploitation of their people and environment by the mere extracting of huge riches from their devatstated lands from where the bulk of Nigeria's 2.3 million barrels of petroleum are pumped daily.
In those days, the abductors had shut down oil rigs, broke oil pipelines or taken oil workers hostage while demanding a huge ransom from the employers of the kidnapped men. But this time around, the militants have not asked for any ransom.
And not oblivious of the fate that befell Odi in the hands of federal forces, the Dodo River communities comprising Amatu 1 and 11, Bilabiri 1 and 11, Bisangbene, Letugbene, Ogbeintu, Azamabiri and Orobiri, host to the EA field, had come out to condemn in strong terms, the adduction of the oil workers.
In a statement signed by Berry Negerese and Franklin Simon, chairman and secretary of the communities and made available to Saturday Vanguard in Yenagoa, the communities said they were in no way connected with the 'barbaric actions of the kidnappers, which destroyed oil pipelines as well," adding that they completely dissociate themselves from the 'irresponsible actions of the men". They argued that even if the action of the kidnappers was hinged on Niger Delta cause, they were not in the mood to be dragged into it.
'Our people have been benefitting from SPDC, which has been spending between N45 million and N60 million on surveillance as way of developing our people. Remember that there is no Bayelsa government presence in our area".
The current government in Bayelsa State is particularly jolted by the turn of events, but has assured that the problem would be resolved soon.
On the other hand, the people of Ekeremor Local Government, cannot be convinced to stay back. They are fleeing en masse.
One of them who gave his name simply as Binabo said: 'We know that those who caused this trouble are not from our communities. But there is so much fear everywhere about the trouble in the creeks and possible counter attack from soldiers. Nobody wants what happened in Odi to befall him or her. That is why families are moving out."
Also speaking, Pere Dombraye, a boat driver who sails from Yenagoa to Republic of Cameroon and other places on weekly basis, said he had to suspend his job for now to avoid being caught in any crossfire.
'Yes, I have relocated to Port Harcourt for now. I just came into town (Yenagoa) to see some people. I don't want to die. I am from Bayelsa but my state is not safe for now. The army people have been moving into the villages and creeks since those bad boys killed some army people. I know that fight will soon start when the soldiers enter where those bad boys are hiding."
Another fleeing resident of the place, Festus Anansa, a student of University of Port Harcourt, said he was on his way to Azamabiri to source for funds from his father when he changed his mind on the trip, at Mbiama Bridge.
'When I got to Mbiama," he said, 'I decided to discontinue with the journey. You see, each time a young man is seen travelling along the creeks, he is often misunderstood by security men. They always see one either as an accomplice of those criminals or as a cultist. I am a university student, I have a future and a fimily name to protect.
'Why should I engage in such an act of piracy or kidnapping foreigners? I have asked my younger sister to leave the village and to move to Lagos where one of our siblings resides. I foresee danger in our area and the best thing is to run from there" Anansa said.