‘Attacks are politically-induced’

Nathan Egba, Bayelsa State Information Commissioner

–Nathan Egba, Bayelsa State Information Commissioner
By Lawson Heyford, Yenagoa
For sometime now, Bayelsa state seems to have been invaded by armed gunmen who wantomly unleash terror and pains on the residents, with some of them being killed in the process. What exactly is happening?
The situation is very sad and unfortunate. But government believes that what is going on across the state of Bayelsa is an orchestrated plan by some unpatriotic elements who do not wish this administration well. They want people to believe that this state is insecure and therefore dangerous for any good thing to happen; and to scare investors from the state just to rubbish the efforts of Governor Sylva. The perpetrators of this dastardly act pick on some selected prominent Bayelsa politicians to attract media support. We understand their intention, but by God’s grace they will fail.
You just mentioned that you know their mission, could you please expatiate?
Yes, their objectives are quite clear to all patriotic and discerning Bayelsans. Apart from trying to create confusion and create the impression of total insecurity in the state, these enemies of progress are doing this to forestall the proposed visit of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to Bayelsa State. The aim is to ensure that the governor does not record another plus and even break record as the only state chief executive to have hosted two Nigerian Presidents within his first tenure. But certainly, they will fail. Government is working with security agencies to bring the situation under strict control. The governor has already sent a preliminary report on the situation to Mr. President and he will formally meet with the President soonest to brief him further on the current security impasse.
Based on the sophisticated weapons being used by these attackers, some ex-militants from the state are alleged to be involved in the attacks?
Honestly, it is very difficult for me to categorically say so, but our belief is that whoever is behind the attacks is doing so to attract negative attention to the state. Some members of the opposition are exploiting the present situation to call for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state. This is very unfortunate and unpatriotic and demonstrates their absolute insensitivity to the problems of the people. What we expect from such people and other Bayelsans is to come and reason together with government on ways of finding a lasting solution to this disturbing trend.
When the Speaker’s residence was attacked, he said the incident was political, contrary to the claim by the Commissioner of Police that the various attacks were armed robbery-based. How do you harmonise these views?
I do not know how the Police boss came by this conclusion. From the various attacks, it is very easy to deduce that they were targeted at some prominent political office holders, suggesting that they were politically-motivated. Let me recall how one of the attackers on the governor’s uncle retreated from their colleagues to collect a bottle of hot drink beside their victim’s bed and apologised to him for the incident, saying it was a political game. So, I can vividly tell you that they were politically-induced. But we are awaiting the full security report on the incidents so we can determine more correctly whether they were political or armed robbery.
How would you react to calls from some quarters for the removal of the State Director of the SSS and the Police boss?
In any given environment or society, crime in one form or the other will always occur. Government does not support such calls, they are retrogressive and diversionary. They, the two security chiefs, did not bring about the security threat in the state. I can assure you that this government has implicit confidence in the two gentlemen. They are doing well in their various assignments.
Could you assess the security situation in the state generally?
Prior to these attacks, the security situation in the state had been so good, infact perfect. The killings are cult-related. Today (last Wednesday, August 4,) the Executive Council discussed the matter and the governor told all officials to be security-conscious since it appears they are the targets of these attacks. The governor further urged them not to compromise their security for anything. The governor has also commenced consultations with various groups, including security operatives, youth groups, ex-militants and representatives of the various Community Development Committees (CDCs), and I am certain the situation will be brought under control in the next few days.