—Call on Mr. President to investigate the activities of the military in the Niger Delta

By Brakere Birinimighan

The Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs has cried out to the general public of what it called renewed siege, harassment and intimidation of communities and people of Gbaramatu Kingdom by the Nigerian Military.

In a statement recently and signed by the Fiyewei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama said that the renewed onslaught against the Kingdom were through water and air.

 “It could be recalled that Gbaramatu Kingdom which is along the EscravosRiver in Warri South West LGA of Delta received similar action from the Nigerian Military in 2016 to 2018,” said Gbenekama.

“Since then our people have been living in fears of possible military invasion like the one of May 2009, when the military overran a number of communities in Gbaramatu kingdom resulting to hundreds of lives and the destruction of property worth billions of Naira.”

He said that the kingdom sought redress in court and won the case against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According him, “The court awarded a fee of 99 billion naira in favour of the kingdom, and the government is yet to pay the amount to Gbaramatu as a compensation of the barbaric act of the military.”

The statement went further, “Our fear is that the military is trying to repeat same act to the peace loving people of Gbaramatu kingdom if urgent steps are not taken by the Federal Government to call the military to order.The recent action of the military could be described as a mischievous one as the kingdom is very peaceful and do not expect such military actions.

“The primary function of any responsible government is the protection of lives and property as well as welfare for the people. Nigeria seems to be a failed state as it could not provide security and welfare for the people. The country is being subjected to all forms of violent acts because of the negative attitude of the government towards the people.

“Even President Buhari’s home town, Daura is not safe as it has been overtaken by bandits and kidnappers. Gbaramatu kingdom is today far safer than any part of the country. So why this organised military siege, harassment and intimidation of the people? We do not deserve any military action as Gbaramatu kingdom is yearning for human and infrastructural development as a part of the Nigerian State.

“More so, the kingdom contributes about 40% of oil revenue to the country. There is an urgent need for Mr. President to investigate the activities of the military in the Niger Delta region as the military is not within the confines of the rules of engagement and this may lead to breakdown of law and order in the region as it is happening in Gbaramatu kingdom.