O.C/State Security Service,
(S.S.S) Ekeremor,
Bayelsa State.
24/03/ 2014
Sir,
Azagbene Community in unending woes as sea pirates unleash terror
Azagbene Community is one of the villages in Ekeremor Local Government Area in Bayelsa State. The peace and security that pervaded the tranquil community of Azagbene has been overturned and replaced with fear, woe and sorrow since the community fell into the hands of dare-devil sea pirates who have unleashed mayhem on the people ceaselessly since 2012 with no end in sight.
Since the community is a River-rine Community as it is true of all other communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area, the only means of accessing the area is by water transportation. The menace of piracy in the area is a recurring decimal that is making the people live in perpetual fear of the unknown.
It is almost a daily occurrence as the pirates have not just sophisticated their modus operandi but also their weaponry. They attack, kill, maim, destroy and cart away belongings from the people either at their homes or en route to the community in speed boats, local market boats and fishermen and women. It has really taken on a very dangerous dimension that, people are afraid to leave their houses to travel. Trade or go their daily fishing activities, hunger, poverty and deprivation are biting hard on the people.
Many young men and women have fled the community to safer places like Yenagoa Local Government Area and its environs, although as refuges in their own state. The older ones both have the means to escape nor the will to do so and are daily subjected to the heinous activities of this unfettered bettering by this men of the underworld.
The community leadership has called for help from the local government and security agencies at various times with no help in sight. Recently, all the ex-militants from the area convened a meeting with the chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area and successfully reached a memorandum of understanding and issued a communiqué to that effect, but nothing has been done about the unending wave of crimes being perpetrated against the people.
The question well meaning individuals are asking is: Is the government serious in fighting piracy? Tongues are waging; especially since the matter has been deliberated with the chief security officer of the area.
The Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, something substantial has to be done about the problem. Since the activities of deadly pirates are unabated, especially, as they have not been confronted at anytime by superior forces their victims are helpless as they trample on them with impunity even with bare faces and in broad daylight.
We are using this medium to call on the listening government of Bayelsa State and security agencies in the state to quickly come to the aid of this people before it is too late.
We are anticipated towards your favourable response.
Thanks and God bless.
…………………………….
Timothy F. Jeremiah
AKA VIP (Owoumo)
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