Day Suspected Militants Invaded Palace In Bayelsa

By Soji Ajibola, Yenagoa

Ebebi

Just as the people of Bayelsa State were beginning to
heave a sigh of relief as a result of the peace pact signed by both the representatives of the Federal Government and leaders of the various militant groups in the state, the suspected militants, nay gunmen, made nonsense of the whole exercise as they invaded the riverine community of Aleibiri in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state, kidnapping the aged father of the Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Simon Ebebi.

The victim, apart from being the father of the state’s number two citizen is also the paramount ruler of the community-Alei of Aleibiri. It is regarded an abomination, kidnapping a traditional ruler, who according to tradition is next to God. The people of the community are yet to come to terms with the incident. Not that they are new to the onslaught of the kidnappers, but this has never happened in the history of the community.

What could have been the offence of the traditional ruler, who as it isgathered was never involved in any land dispute or any other related matter and is not into politics like his son? This and many other questions are begging for answer as security operatives in the state are trying to unravel the mystery surrounding the incident.

This year alone, notable sons and daughters of the state had been kidnapped and released by the suspected militant groups with one group or the other owning up for the action. but in the case of Chief Ebebi, no group has owned up. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta People in an online statement dissociated itself from the incident, describing the perpetrators as a bunch of criminals.

MEND said that it still respected the peace agreement signed with the government, but there is a noticeable crack in MEND. While some groups claimed to be in total support of the Federal Government peace initiative , others described it as a charade.

Also, the state chairman of the Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, Chief James Jephtah, dissociated the militant groups from the present action of the group he described as criminals. “The incident has nothing to do with the recent signing of peace pact, it is pure criminal act. We cannot rule out criminality from the whole exercise.

“We know the people that we have gone into partnership with, they cannot betray us. The kidnap, if carefully investigated has political undertone, and very soon we will get to the root of the matter”, he said. Sharing his view, the Commander of the Joint Military Task Force, Lt. Col. Christopher Musa, called for sincerity on the part of the militant youths as he submitted that ‘the youths have only appended their signatures on paper, they have not signified their intention for disarmament. It is after disarmament that we can talk of lasting peace. ‘

Five of the invaders, according to him have been arrested, even though two of them are pleading their innocence, as one claimed to be the owner of one of the 20 boats used for the operation. The suspect, according to him claimed to have hired out the boat out of ignorance, not knowing that his customers were up to evil intentions.

The commander said that security operatives in the state are trying to establish a link with the perpetrators but warned against the payment of ransom to any group as he recalled a situation where people were still demanding for ransom even after the release of the captive. Citing the case of the mother of House of Representatives member, Hon. Seriake Dickson, he said her release was secured without payment of any ransom, but was surprised that even when the woman was still in the custody of the JTF, people were still demanding for money to open up negotiation on the matter.

Many youths in the Niger Delta region are hiding under the guise of militancy to perpetrate evil.He therefore called on people who have political differences to settle it amicably. The Commander said the suspected militant youths were demanding for N10.4million ransom including N400,000.00 for logistics.

While the security operatives are battling to get to the root of the matter, the people of Aleibiri are now without a traditional ruler, as their paramount ruler has been whisked away commando style by the gunmen.

Chief Ebebi was said to be enjoying his sleep when the suspected militant youths, about 25 in number, stormed the coastal communities in no less than 20 boats. Armed to the teeth, the youths were said to be shooting sporadically to scare the villagers, but noting that the person that the militants came for was the paramount ruler, the youths of the community put up a resistance, challenging the fireworks of the suspected gunmen.

While the gunmen were prepared for battle, the community youths were not adequately prepared and were overwhelmed by the suspected gunmen. After overrunning the youths, the gunmen headed for the palace of Alei and captured the traditional ruler.

After the invasion which lasted for close to two hours, the suspected gunmen headed for the jetties and raced to an unknown destination. The Prince of Aleibiri, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, was said to have travelled out of the country.