Deployment of Fighters Jet: We Are Not In Conflict With Military – Gbenekama

Niger Delta activist and prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, says Ijaw nation is not contending with the military to warrant deployment of fighters jet to Oporoza, the ancestral headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdoms, Delta state.

Gbenekama stated this in a telephone conversation with BigPen Online on Monday, following reported deployment of military helicopter which flew over houses at low level in several Gbaramatu communities on Sunday.

The Fiyewei of Gbararmatu Kingdom, said it was wrong for the military to keep sending wrong signal to the world as if there is a “war-like situation” in Gbaramatu whereas there is none every year.

According to him, if the military wants to prove to the government and tax payers in Nigeria that they are working, Gbaramatu Kingdom and indeed the Niger Delta should not be the place to show-off. 

He said that nobody in Gbaramatu have anything to contend with the military, maintaining that the communities which played host to several oil and gas installation have been law abiding and peaceful.

“As far as I am concerned nobody or group of persons in Gbaramatu kingdom is contending with the Nigerian Government or the Nigerian army.

“Those contending with the Nigerian army are in the north, and not we defenceless civilians”.

He said that the often military show of force every year in Gbaramatu Kingdom ought to be directed to the northern part of the country where Boko Haram terrorists are killing and maiming citizens.

“This kind of show of force and intimidation is needed more in the north where Boko Haram is killing maiming and kidnapping defenceless citizens.

“We are law abiding, peaceful and accommodating in Gbaramatu Kingdom. Why this intimidation which is heating up the polity, he queried.

According to him, the hovering of the fighters jet over houses have instilled panic and fear on the residents who are now afraid of possible repeat of 2016 and 2017 military offensive in the area.

“As I speak many people can no longer sleep in their houses now because of fear of a repeat of what happened in 2016 and 2017 where Oporoza was raided by the military which led to the killing of many citizens of Gbaramatu kingdom.

“The federal government should as a matter of urgency call the military to order. Delta state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa should ensure that he does not allow the military to heat up the polity in his state which have enjoyed relative peace in recent times”, he added.