A former security czar, Larry Pepple has hailed the release of a lawmaker in Rivers State, Princewill Christy-Wilcox, who was abducted by sea pirates on Thursday, September 26, 2016 last night by his abductors.

He equally advised the organizers of the planned protests against sea piracy on Wednesday, October 2, and Monday, October 7, 2019 in Port Harcourt and Abuja, respectively, to focus on attracting the right benefits to Bonny Local Government Area

Pepple, who was a former Head of Reintegration in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, lauded the efforts of the security agencies in Rivers State and Bonny in particular for their gallant efforts at securing his release, urging them to do more to checkmate the rising spate of criminality in the area.

The former Executive Director of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) also commended “all illustrious sons and daughters of Bonny Kingdom who played behind-the-scene roles that led to the speedy release of the captives,” noting that without their input this nightmare would have more than gruesome”.

The released lawmaker, Princewill Christy-Wilcox represents Ward 9 in the Bonny Legislative Assembly.

On the planned protests billed to hold tomorrow and Monday, October 7, 2019, he identified the procurement of world class ferry services to and fro Bonny Island, speedy completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road project, execution of the Bonny Ring Road project by a competent construction company, and timely delivery of the Nigeria LNG Train 7+ project as the key demands that should feature during the protest.

To the former Technical Assistant (Reintegration) to the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, these will serve to develop the infrastructure profile of Bonny LGA, economically empower her people and upscale her transportation system to globally acceptable standards.

While noting that security and control of security forces in Nigeria was exclusively in the hands of the Federal Government, he enjoined the protesters to keep their activities within the ambit of the law and watch out for mischief makers who may want to capitalize on the protest to cause trouble thus derailing the essence of the protest.

He regretted the that “the incessant attacks on our waterways which have led to deaths, raping of our women, maiming and loss of property nearly every week,” noting that “we all have every reason to be angry and disillusioned particularly when a privileged few use the exotic and comfortable multinationals flights and ferry as well as armed escorted yachts”.

Pepple, who was also the former Chief Security Officer to a former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili, however, cautioned that “while expressing our anger, we should be careful to do it respectfully and responsibly. Also, we should also be mindful to know whose responsibility it is to statutorily provide security along our waterways and our communities”.

“I, being a victim of the failure of our Nigerian State Security architecture that led to the gruesome assassination of my dear dad, had, at some point, advocated self-help approaches even as a retired security officer after 26years of service to the Federal Government, I acknowledge it shortfalls”.

He called for “our collective efforts to strategically look for a creative self-help approach as a Kingdom to solve the problem. No part of Nigeria is safe and free from violent crimes including Daura, the hometown of the current President. Throwing blames and name calling won’t help us”.

He observed that “in contemporary times, nearly every social amenity we are enjoying on the Island came as a result of deliberate and constructive engagements initiated by the Monarch, respected stakeholders and the multinationals. If we conquered 24/7 electricity supply that even the (Aso Rock) Villa and (the) FCT hasn’t achieved, clean portable water supply on the Island, and, most recently, the planned Health Insurance Policy Scheme for the Kingdom without violence, I am optimistic that we will achieve the following, amongst others, ably led by our revered Monarch, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, without spilling any blood but through purposeful, deliberate and strategic approaches”.