By Cynthia Eruotor
Gbaramatu Youth Council has called on the Department of State Security Services(DSS) to arrest and prosecute Hon. Michael Diden for his allegedly inciting ethnic violence in the state. The body made this call on Friday in press briefing in Warri, Delta State
According to Maxwell Wuruyai, the Public Relations of Gbaramatu Youth Council who spoke on behalf of the organization, the body said Hon. Diden a.k.a Ejele was seen in a video that went viral in social media platforms calling for the attack on Ijaw individuals from Gbaramatu Kingdom employed by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited particularly when oil thieves use most of these Itsekiris communities as cover in illegal oil activities which according to them, such call is capable of breaching the relative peace that has been enjoyed in the area for years.
According to him, Gbaramatu people have been known for peace and had no any intention in attacking any of their neighbours and wondered why Hon. Diden wants to cause dis-affection among the people in the area. According to him, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited is not owned by Gbaramatu Kingdom but the company engaged by the Federal Government to protect oil pipelines, as a result of pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering which has hindered the progress of the country.
He said, Hon. Diden is venting his anger on the ground that Tantita Security Services Limited is frustrating his efforts as regards his alleged involvement in illegal bunkering to create a safe haven for his illegal business in this regard. His words:” We firmly believe that Ejele’s bitterness stem from his disruption of his alleged illegal bunkering by Tantita operations.. He now thinks to incite ethnic unrest to create safe haven for his illegal trade” The group therefore called on the Federal Government to monitor the activities of Mr Ejele and prevent him from disturbing the relative peace in the region.
The group said, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited never invaded any community whatsoever and called on Mr Diden to provide empirical evidence to justify his claim saying that, for Hon. Diden to interfere with the activities of Tantita with his bogus claims when Tantita does not work alone but in collaboration with security agencies, is not only a slap on Tantita’s but on Nigeria Armed Forces and other security agencies which collaborate with Tantita to curb oil theft in the region. According to him, based on Nigeria constitution under section 366 of the criminal Code, anybody who involves in the threat of violence or act of that nature faces criminal charges and will be punished accordingly.
The body said, Hon. Diden may not be aware that the oil bearing communities including of of Itsekiris areas benefit from Tantita operations as the 3% for communities development under Petroleum Industrial Act is realizable when oil infrastructure is protected from sabotage.
While calling their neighbours that they do not intend to attack any one, does not meant they are cowards but they want peace to reign. He said:”We also called on our Itsekiri brothers, sisters to reject this device rhetoric. The true enemies are not those securing the nation’s assets but those exploiting the region resources for personal gains”
He however said, if the DSS could not do the needful in this regard, they have no choice but to defend themselves as they can fold their arms and be assaulted. His words:” Nobody has the monopoly of provocation, but for the sake of peace, we continue to show restraint, our silence is not to be taken for fear, we remain vigilant, united and committed to defending our land, name and peace we have always stood for.”