WARRI — SECURITY Operatives were yesterday put on alert in Warri and neighbouring communities following threats by some unknown pirates to deal with Itsekiri and Ijaw youth leaders allegedly working with the state government and the Joint Security Task Force, Operation Restore Hope, in the renewed massive security clampdown on sea pirates along the waterways.
About 27 pirates have so far been shot dead by men of the task force in separate raids on the hideout of the pirates in recent times.
Security sources told Vanguard in Warri yesterday that the security alert had become necessary following the misplaced notion by the kingpins of the sea pirates that the youth leaders, who last month declared their resolve to cease ethnic hostilities were responsible for the clampdown on them.
It was gathered that most members of the Warri Itsekiri and Ijaw Grassroot Peace Front (WIIGPF), involved in the ceasefire declaration have started moving into hiding for fear of being attacked by the pirates.
Attempts by Vanguard to speak with Chairman of the group, Mr. Kingsley Otuaru failed, as he was reported to have travelled to Lagos on personal mission, but a member of the group, who spoke under condition of anonymity confirmed to Vanguard that they have expressed their fear to the Task Force Commander, Brig. General Elias Zamani and he has assured us of our safety against any attack.
“These people (pirates) have, over the years, hidden behind the ethnic hostilities to carry out their criminal activities. Our decision to ceasefire does not make us responsible for their being killed.The only advice I have for them is to ensure that they stop sea piracy as the Itsekiri and Ijaw youths are against it” he stated.
The Joint Security Task Force, Operation Restore Hope, headed by Brig. Gen. Elias Zamani had, at the beginning of the massive security operation of the waterways and some listed community ordered by Governor James Ibori, assured that sea piracy and other violent crimes would be stopped.
They stated that while the operation to rid Warri and its environs of criminals is going on, they remain undaunted to take on any opposing militant group bent on destabilizing the existing fragile peace in the Niger-Delta.
