News
Attacks On Waterways: Bonny Youths Seek Wike’s Intervention
Scores of youths from Bonny Local Government Area, yesterday, converged at the main gate leading to Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt in protest against incessant attacks on boat passengers by sea pirates on the community’s waterways.
For centuries, the people of Bonny Island have not accessed their homes by road except through the creeks and sea, which join the community with other parts of the state.
The youths have been embarking on peaceful protests in Bonny Island since Tuesday, but they decided to storm Port Harcourt, yesterday to make their case before the state governor.
Earlier, the youths had gone to the headquarters of Bonny Local Government Council where they lamented the killing of two young men recently by pirates on the waterways.
But they left disappointed as the council chairman and his officials refused to address them after spending the whole day at the gate of the secretariat of the council.
The youth said they were angry that both the federal and state governments have not shown visible concern about their plight since the protest started.
Bonny, the host of multi-billion-dollar Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), SPDC-operated Bonny Crude Export Terminal, and other multinational oil companies can only be accessed by water.
The contract awarded by the Federal Government for construction of a road that would link the community with other parts of the state has suffered several setbacks due to inadequate funding.
Speaking to journalists in front of Rivers State Government House main gate in Port Harcourt, some of the youths vowed that they would not leave until Governor Nyesom Wike addresses them on concrete steps he would take to ensure adequate security on Bonny waterways.
One of the protesters, who simply gave his name as LongJohn Hart, said they were grateful to the governor over the recent commissioning of Bonny-Bille-Nembe Jetty in the Creek Road area of Port Harcourt.
But he queried, “What happens to us and our people along the insecure waterways when we take off from the jetty to and fro Port Harcourt?”
It was observed that the protesters carried placards of varying inscriptions, including #StopkillingofBonny people,” “Gov Wike, life is biggest project,” “Secure our Bonny waterways”, “We have lost too many lives”, and others.
As at the time of filing this report, the peaceful protesters were still at the protest venue.
However, in a bid to fight insecurity in the state, including on the waterways, Governor Nyesom Wike had launched ‘Operation Sting’ about a year ago, and donated gunboats and over 120 patrol vehicles to security agencies.
But despite this, insecurity has persisted on the waterways with frequent killing and robbing of passengers by pirates.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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