Nigeria’s insecure waterways
Ongoing concern at insecurity in Nigeria’s waterways.
Who Controls Bayelsa’s Waterways: Pirates or Gov’t?
The high level of insecurity on the waterways in Bayelsa State is now a source of concern to the people, as they, daily, live in fear of the unknown. Worst hit are Azuzuama axis, Koluama, Foropah, Ekeni, Brass, Nembe and Akassa, all located in different parts of the state, which are flashpoints for kidnapping, piracy and other criminal activities.
These vices are now a regular feature in the daily life of many people in the state, and more worrisome is the fact that the victims no longer report to the police or other security agencies, because of the lackadaisical approach of these agencies in repelling the criminals. For the people, the fear of these criminals is the beginning of wisdom, especially for those plying the Yenagoa-Akassa road, which is, literally, a no-go-area.
Before the festive period, the maritime workers’ union went on strike twice for what it described as insensitivity of the state government for not providing adequate security for the grassroots, especially those living in the rural areas. A victim, Mr. Sam Osaisai, narrated how he and others were robbed, brutalised and dispossessed of all they had on them by sea pirates at the Koluama axis of Southern Ijaw River.
Commuters along the Brass waterways also had a taste of the brutality of the sea pirates who took control for about 24 hours, halting business activities along that axis, with the security agencies having no way of checking them.
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Source: dailytimes.com.ng
