Groups condemn killings on Bayelsa waterways

From: Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Civil society groups in Bayelsa State have raised the alarm over reported incessant attacks and killing on Bayelsa waterways by suspected sea pirates.
Five people, three security personnel and two civilians, were recently killed in Southern Ijaw and Brass local government areas of Bayelsa State by yet-to-be identified sea pirates in the state.
The Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) and the Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), in a joint press conference addressed by Chief Nengi James and Mr. Morris Alagoa, for CLO and ERA/ FoEN, respectively, condemned what they called “the unprovoked attack on civilians and military personnel on the waterways.”
They called on both the Federal Government and the Bayelsa State Government to work with coastal communities to ensure that the menace of sea piracy was eliminated along the waterways.
While wondering why the Ijaw Youth Council had not been involved in tracking the pirates and ensured that the culprits were apprehended and brought to justice, the groups called on security agencies to engage more in plain-cloth investigation to nab the brains behind the killings on the waterways.
“We condemn in strong terms the attacks on innocent civilians and security men in our environment and call on all those engaged in the act to rethink and stop the barbaric, criminal acts in the interest of humanity.

“All unauthorised killings, whether of civilian or security personnel; whether by civilian of security personnel is unacceptable and we condemn all such killings; particularly the recently unprovoked attacks and killing of security men and those travelling in the creeks of Bayelsa State.
“Since security should be the concern of all in the society, we urge the Government and security agencies in the state not to leave out communities in fashioning out effective strategies to bring about lasting solution; all critical stakeholders should be involved, including community structures, and retired military/security personnel. There is need to mark out the most vulnerable spots and ensure regular and effective patrolling by well armed and equipped marine craft [fitted with up to date communication gadgets,” they said in a statement.