Stop JTF’s invasion of Bayelsa communities, activist tells Jonathan

An Ijaw youth activist has condemned the recent invasion of Azuzuama and Lobia communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State by operatives of the Joint Military Task Force, JTF.

The activist, Udengs Eradiri, also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail on JTF to stop further invasion of Ijaw communities.

Eradiri implored the President not to allow a repeat of what happened in Odi also in Bayelsa State in 1999, where the entire community was razed by soldiers.

He recalled that during the Odi invation men and women were killed, houses were destroyed, but none of the perpetrators was apprehended.

While justifying its action, JTF had said its men invaded Azuzuama and Lobia in search of suspected sea pirates, kidnappers and other criminal elements hiding in both communities.

It was gathered that the JTF operatives were on a manhunt for the suspected killers of the 12 policemen believed to be hiding in Azuzuama and Lobia communities.

But Eradiri, who was Secretary of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, claimed the JTF men, on the pretext of combing the creeks in search of criminals, used gunboats and military helicopters.

He said: “The JTF should work closely with the former militant leaders who know the perpetrators of that dastardly act, rather than attacking and intimidating the innocent civilians.

“The authorities of JTF should not compound the woes of the rural populace who are suffering from abject poverty and neglect.”

Eradiri warned that Ijaw people would no longer condone such actions in the region.

The activist also accused JTF of colluding with criminals to steel oil in the region.

He said: “I think the security agencies should ask for the leaders of these boys who have refused to pay them and the boys took action against them, even though their actions were misplaced.

“For me, the JTF should ask the leaders to go and bring their boys. They know them; they have been interacting on phone with these boys.

“Why are the JTF men going to community to kill, rape and burn down houses of innocent people who are leaving in abject poverty?”