GOVERNOR DIRI RAISES ALARM OVER USE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN AS HUMAN SHIELDS AT ILLEGAL REFINERY SITES
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Nicolas Adekeye / 4 weeks
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- 2 min read
Nicolas Adekeye, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed concern over a new trend in oil bunkering, where children and women are being used as human shields at illegal refining camps. This disturbing revelation was made during a meeting with first-class traditional rulers in the state and local government chairmen in Government House, Yenagoa. According to a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to Bayelsa Governor, Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri condemned the use of innocent lives as shields, stating that “the report I received recently is that at illegal bunkering sites, they now have children and women, which is a dimension I have never heard before.” He emphasized that this trend is not only alarming but also poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of these vulnerable individuals. Governor Diri revealed that security operatives had discovered this trend during reconnaissance operations, and in some cases, the military had to withdraw from destroying the camps due to the presence of children and women. He urged the monarchs and council chairmen to take immediate action to curb this menace, which is prevalent in Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor, Brass, and Nembe council areas. The governor also charged the monarchs to report any oil bunkering sites in their domains to him, stressing that a collaborative effort is necessary to address this issue. As noted by Chief Press Secretary to Governor Diri, Daniel Alabrah, the governor is committed to finding a lasting solution to this problem and ensuring the safety and security of all Bayelsa residents.