This was disclosed on Monday in a statement signed by Ayebaefie John, Tuaepere Ogor, Tamuno Lelegite, Atonbara Sunday, Furo Baratuaepere, Baribogha David and Sutonye Derri on behalf of Ope Nembe indigenes.
Some concerned Indigenes of Opu-Nembe Kingdom, have petitioned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, over the alleged atrocities, illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalisation, violence and violation of the fundamental human rights of indigenes of Opu-Nembe community in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, by criminals elements under the goading and supervision of the Special Weapon and Tactical Team (SWAT).
This was disclosed on Monday in a statement signed by Ayebaefie John, Tuaepere Ogor, Tamuno Lelegite, Atonbara Sunday, Furo Baratuaepere, Baribogha David and Sutonye Derri on behalf of Ope Nembe indigenes.
The group called for the unconditional withdrawal of the 350 SWAT personnel from Opu-Nembe Kingdom.
According to the group, sequel to the nefarious and dastardly activities, many members of the community are not allowed into the community to do their own businesses or even to live peacefully within the community.
They further accused the former Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, of allegedly sponsoring bunkering activities in Nembe and Brass local government areas of the State.
According to the concerned indigenes, the former minister is allegedly using militant elements who are perpetrating all forms of criminal activities by opening various camps with the aid of the SWAT team deployed to Nembe Kingdom.
They stated that “As at today, crime and criminality, violence and violation of the fundamental human rights of majority members of Opu-Nembe community is the order of the day as we see everyday that under the goading and supervision of the SWAT team now resident in the community, there are open incidences of pipeline vandalism, oil theft, and all manner of economic crimes and human rights violations within the community.
“We as indigenes are completely dissatisfied with this state of affairs as they had expected that the SWAT, being an institution of the Government of Nigeria, and subject to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it ought to uphold the Rule of Law in the discharge of its activities within the community as against the double standard it has shown in this case.
“It is against this backdrop that we the indigenes demand that the SWAT operatives be withdrawn from the community forthwith, and an investigation be caused into the activities of SWAT and the various criminal activities of economic sabotage carried out within the community, while members of the community are not allowed access into their community.
“It is further against the backdrop of these high handed and dastardly acts of the perpetrators and sponsors as well as the perceived silence and connivance of the SWAT that we have now written to you to investigate and deprecate the actions of the perpetrators and consequently bring the offenders herein to book with a view to restoring peace and tranquility to the community.
“It is our position that the SWAT shielded these persons in committing various atrocities within the community, leading to unrest and chaos in the community. We further pray you to treat this petition with dispatch and order the unconditional withdrawal of the 350 SWAT personnel from Opu-Nembe Kingdom.”
