Bile Kingdom people in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State are now living under constant fear of sea piracies and other criminality in the area.
Speaking with newsmen over the weekend at their Liaison office in Port Harcourt, the Bille Kingdom Youth Federation, President, Asatubo Obirabi Sanipe Sylvanus said sea travelers who use the sea route are the worst hit.
According to him, “there is no week, we don’t hear reported case of sea piracy attack on travelers on the water ways. He disclosed further that just recently they lost three (3) speed boats to the piracies including one belonging to a security outfit.
“Only last week Sunday an Anglican Clergy who was returning from Bille Kingdom after his episcopical visit, was given a hot chase by these hoodlums but was lucky to have escaped by the whiskers”.
The youth President explained that the people have done all within their power to draw the attention of the security agents to their plight to no avail.
“We have addressed a joint press conference with our Council Chairman, Hon. Tony Philmore and even went ahead to write the military authorities stationed there including the 6 Battalion Nigeria Army, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt and they all promised to do something but never did anything till date”.
Mr. Sylvanus used the opportunity to call for the assistance of the government at all levels to come to their aid especially during this yuletide period, for the safety of their lives and property by providing gunboat patrol team on the water ways.
“These masked hoodlums know us but we don’t know them and they are deadly. They will strategically ambush passenger boats near the new Calabar River axis to attack their target and whenever they struck, there must be casualties while they cart away property, cash and phones of their helpless victims”.
Asked to give an insight as to what could be the possible rise in the violent attacks on the water ways, the Youth President attributed it to the destruction of their illegal refinery business (kpofire) which was their source of livelihood.
The Bille Kingdom Youth Federation (BKYF) also used the chance to thank the authorities for giving the Bille people, the opportunity to provide a RSHA candidate for the forthcoming general election, describing it as a wonderful opportunity which they will properly utilize to the fullest.
“The highest position any citizen of Bille has occupied politically is the CTC Chairman of Degema LGA and so we are very grateful for the gesture and will reciprocate by massively working for the electoral victory of all the PDP Candidate during the election”
Asatubo Sylvanus equally used the opportunity to appeal to Rivers people and resident especially the youths to abhor violence or electoral malpractices during the election, adding that it will be in the interest of democracy and the Country if all the stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials and the security agents diligently conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent election.
