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Be Calming Down – Bonny Security Committee Appeals to Youths

By Emmanuel Nwafor

Jun 12, 2021

The Bonny Kingdom Security Committee (BKSC) has appealed to youths across Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State to allow peace to reign as stakeholders work to resolve the issues related to the skirmishes of Thursday, June 10, 2021 around the NLNG Roundabout.

They assured that, having brought the ugly situation under control, the security agencies were working round the clock to assure the security and safety of all in the area, urging the youths to cooperate with the relevant security agencies and other stakeholders to fully restore normalcy and resolve all outstanding issues.

The BKSC came out with this position in a Press Release signed by its Chairman, Dr. Stephen Hart, a retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, and Secretary, Squadron Leader Olam Allwell-Brown (Rtd.), and made exclusively available to Kristina Reports on Saturday, June 12, 2021, in Bonny Island.

The committee was set up in 2016 by the Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom to interface with relevant stakeholders to manage security across Bonny Kingdom, work out modalities for proactive measures to pre-empt security breaches and advise the King on best measures for assuring security in the area.

There was palpable tension in Finima area of Bonny Island when attempts were made by yet-to-be identified elements to hijack or disrupt a peaceful protest by Finima Community on the non-implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act by the Nigeria LNG at the main gate of the company’s Industrial Area (IA).

Security operatives drafted to the area were able to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the area but not before the yet-to-be identified elements have unleashed mayhem on properties and vehicles in the area. Several shops were destroyed, vehicles burnt, and several people injured in the fracas.

Reacting to the development, the Bonny Kingdom Security Committee (BKSC) stated that it was imperative for all concerned parties to maintain calm at the moment while efforts are being made to address the contending issues.

The statement reads as follows:

“PRESS RELEASE BY BONNY KINGDOM SECURITY COMMITTEE (BKSC) ON THE SKIRMISHES INVOLVING SOME YOUTHS OF BONNY KINGDOM ON THURSDAY 10TH JUNE, 2021

This is to inform the general public that the tension arising from the unfortunate skirmishes involving some youths of Bonny Kingdom on Thursday 10th June, 2021 over issues around interpretation of the Local Content Act as it affects host communities rights has since been brought under control by the law enforcement agencies.

All stakeholders led by His Majesty King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI, CON, Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Bonny Kingdom and the Bonny Chiefs Council are working round the clock to resolve all issues.

To this end, it is advised that all parties lessen the tension by allowing the security agencies carry on with the maintenance of law and order while efforts are being made to bring every aggrieved party to a roundtable.

Bonny Kingdom still remains one indivisible peaceful community working together to enthrone sustainable development.”

In a telephone interview with Kristina Reports, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Finima Division of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Muktar Mahdi disclosed that the various security agencies in the area were taking proactive measures to forestall a repeat of Thursday’s event, informing that, currently, commuters utilizing the Finima Road would be subjected to routine stop and search to ensure weapons of any sort were not ferried into Finima or Bonny.

According to him, passengers would have to exit their vehicles upon getting to the NLNG Roundabout and their vehicles searched; while commercial motorcycle operators would have to roll their bikes on foot across the roundabout.

He appealed for the cooperation and support of all to ensure the security agencies achieve the collective goal of assuring the safety of all in the area, warning that incendiary comments, online posts and Whatsapp messages that have the potential of inflaming the already fragile situation should be avoided.