By Francis Sadhere, Warri
People of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Council of Delta State have cried to the federal government over the invasion of communities by the military searching for rampaging militants, saying that the development has affected the on-going school certificate examinations organized by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO)
Leaders of the communities averred that several students who ran into the bush because of the invasion were yet to be accounted for, adding that the academic session has been entirely disrupted.
Speaking on behalf of the people,Chairman of Kokodiagbene Community, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, they stated that because of the prevailing situation all schools in the area have been shut down, appealing to both the federal and state governments to step in and arrest the dire situation.
Besides, the communities also appeal to the marauding Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to stop the mindless bombing of pipelines, as according to them, apart from causing a dip in crude production, the ecosystem is badly affected and this will pave the way for the continued occupation of the region by the military.
They said it was unfortunate that the hosting of oil and gas installation was becoming a curse rather than a blessing to the communities, claiming that these communities were completely neglected and their environment bastardized as a result of many years of oil exploration and exploitation activities.
But they maintained that ‘’no amount of intimidation and harassment of our people by the military will make us to run away from our land’’.
They cautioned the military to thread softly on their search for Avengers in order not to hurt innocent citizens and use more of intelligence and professionalism in their search for the renegades.
‘’It is also imperative to raise the alarm that an ethnicity crisis is looming in the Delta creeks because the enemies of the kingdom are the ones fueling the pipeline vandalism and military invasion.
‘’It is clear from the ongoing assaults and mindless abuse of human rights that the intention of the Nigerian Army is to wipe out everything that has live in Gbaramatu kingdom.’’
