Hon. Preye Oseke
Below is motion sponsored by the entire Bayelsa caucus and moved by Hon. Preye Oseke, the motion was taken today as a matter of urgent public importance on the floor of the House.
Your Ref:___________________
OurRef: HOR/SIFC/HORSPK/06
Tuesday 12th May, 2020
The RT. Honourable Speaker
House of Representatives
National Assembly
Abuja.
Sir,
MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE URGENT NEED TO STOP THE REGULAR INVASION AND DESTRUCTION OF COMMUNITIES IN BAYELSA STATE BY THE NIGERIAN MILITARY
Sponsored by:
Hon. Preye Influence. Oseke
Hon. Prof. Steve Azaiki Azibapu, OON
Hon. Israel Sunny Goli
Hon. Fred Obua
Hon. Agbedi, Yeitiemone Frederick
The House:
NOTES that Section217 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) creates the Nigerian Armed Forces for the purpose of:-
(a) defending Nigeria from external aggression;
(b)maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea, or air;
(c)suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President but subject to such conditions as maybe prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly and other internationally prescribed rules of civil engagement.
(d)perform such other functions as maybe prescribed by an act of the National. Assembly.
ALSO NOTES that as a result of the problem of Pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region, the late President Umaru Yar’adua Administration commissioned a Joint Military Task Force known as Operation Polo Shield(now Operation Delta Save) which was stationed to protect oil installations, personnel and curb the menace of pipeline vandalism in the region. This has continued in dealing with militancy, kidnapping, sea piracy and other general insecurity is issues as they occur.
FURTHER NOTES, that recently there was a military operation near Foropa in Southern Ijaw Federal constituency, Bayelsa State.
This has further heightened the fear of the people of the community with the information that the military will return to burn down the community as has been done to several communities in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region in general some of such communities being Odi, Ezetu, Letugbene, Agge, Bilabiri1 and 2, Azagbene communities,
etc, etc.
INFORMED, that the invasion and destruction of a community is now the pattern adopted by the Nigerian Military in Bayelsa State when ever. indigenes from these Communities are
suspected to have carried out any act against oil installations. It puts the innocent and law-
abiding citizens of the area in double jeopardy as they suffer attacks from the same unguided elements who rob and terrorize people and also reprisal attacks from our tax-funded military. This is devastating enough for people who are citizens of this country.
CONVINCED, that a globally respected Armed Force such as the Nigerian Military. cannot afford to exhibit such uncivilized acts even in the face of provocative acts of citizens who they are supposed to protect. Rather, the Military should engage their very efficient intelligence agencies to conduct thorough investigation and apply surgical precision raids to bring these miscreants to justice as we are fully in support of such.
WORRIED That if this pattern now adopted by the Nigerian Military in Bayelsa State is not immediately stopped, the map and population. of the state will be greatly reduced in the near future, if not wiped out.
RESOLVES TO;-
1.condemn in strong terms the recurring attacks on oil & gas installations and facilities
2.Also condemn the continuous sea piracy/kidnapping activities of youths in the state, and resorting to using communities as hideouts, thereby jeopardizing the peace in the communities;
3.Call on community leaders, to at all times prevail on their youths to explore lawful means of pursuing their demands; as. well as desist from acts tantamount to aiding and abetting criminal activities in their domain;
4. condemn in strong terms these acts of destruction perpetrated by the Nigerian Military in Bayelsa State;
5.urge the Chief of Defence Staff to order the immediate halt and further invasion and destruction of communities in Bayelsa State in whatever guise; and
6.mandate the House Committee on Defense to investigate these actions by the Military and report back to the House within six weeks for further legislative action.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues we so move.
Hon. Preye Influence Goodluck Oseke
For: Bayelsa Caucus