The CLO petitioned the Defence Headquarters over the actions of the soldiers.
By: Arodiegwu Eziukwuin
The Bayelsa Chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO)
has petitioned the Defence Headquarters over alleged case of misconduct
and extortion by some soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force
operating in the state.
The human rights group alleged that three soldiers on escort duty in
the creek had forcefully demanded and extorted N200, 000 from some
indigenes of Atonyekiri community, near Nembe in Bayelsa.
The Bayelsa chairman of the organisation, Nengi James, who disclosed
this in Yenagoa, said that a formal complaint has also been filed with
the Unit Commander of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Brass
Island.
Mr. James, who is also the Chairman of the Oil and Gas Committee of
Nembe Kingdom, said that the accused soldiers carried out the alleged
crime on Tuesday at about 3 p.m.while on an escort duty for Agip.
According to him, the soldiers were escorting Agip workers who were
undertaking a repair work at a crude oil leakage site close to
Atonyekiri community in Brass Local Government Area of the state.
“While the Agip staff and some Nembe Oil and Gas Committee members
were at the site of the oil spillage to effect the repairs, they left
behind the soldiers on the gun boat provided for the escort duty.
“The three soldiers, whose names have been given to the JTF Commander
of the Brass Unit disembarked and invaded the Diesel Pump station
within the community with the accusation of illegal bunkering.
“They demanded for the sum of half a million naira but when the
people refused, they brought out a Jerry can of fuel and sprayed it on
the houses in the fishing settlement and threatened to burn down their
homes,” Mr. James said.
He alleged that the diesel dealer and the indigenes of the community
raised N200,000 and gave it to the soldiers. He said that following the
soldiers action, the Agip officials present quickly filed a complaint
with the JTF Unit commander in Brass.
“We also filed our complaint, and have decided to take it further by writing the Chief of Army Staff,” Mr. James said.
He called on the military authorities to order an investigation into
the incident and ensure that the soldiers involved are made to face
justice.
According to him, “if proper investigation is not done, it will
further discourage communities to work with the security agents on the
needed campaign against oil bunkering.
“This is a crime against humanity and the people of the Niger Delta.
If not investigated, it will mean that the top brass of the Nigerian
Military are involved in the rising cases of extortion and threats.”
When contacted on the development, the spokesperson of the JTF,
Onyema Nwachukwu said its headquarters has not received any official
complaint from the groups, nor briefing from its Unit Commander in
Brass.
“But let me assure you that if such reports are received, it will
investigated and those involved would be judiciously dealt with if there
are found wanting,” Mr. Nwachukwu, a Lieutenant Colonel, said.
Source: Premiumtimes
No comments:
Post a Comment