SECURITY agencies in Bayelsa State have deployed military checkpoints on Yenagoa roads with a view to stopping the upsurge in the abduction of relations of government officials/legislators by ransom-demanding gunmen.
The exchange of fire by rival gangs in neigbhouring Rivers State is not subsiding either and soldiers now provide security for Governor Celestine Omeiha in and out of Government House.
In yesterday�s shooting alone, at least four people laid dead, even after the governor�s broadcast of Wednesday night in which he vowed to deal ruthlessly with those behind the shootings.
Two men were killed at Boro Park flyover when gunmen shot sporadically in the area.
Policemen at the park area simply took position but did not return fire. The men drove off after firing for nearly five minutes.
No fewer than three persons including the mother of the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House Assembly have been kidnapped in the last three weeks in Bayelsa by gunmen.
While the gunmen demanded ransom in the case of the septuagenarian mother of the Speaker, Mrs. Hansel Seibarugu and 11- year-old son of the only female member of the Assembly, Daniel Benjamin, no ransom was placed on the two-year-old son of the driver of the governor, James, who was rescued by men of the Bayelsa State Police Command in neighbouring Rivers State.
Tight security in Yenagoa
Vanguard observed yesterday that heavy sandbags were being erected on both ends of roads in the capital city linking the creeks and waterfronts while a permanent military post is under construction at Igbogene, the gateway to Yenagoa. It was gathered that the measure was to prevent the cult war in Port Harcourt, Rivers State from spreading to Yenagoa.
The source added that the security beef-up was not limited to land as troops drawn from the Joint Task Force otherwise known as Operation Restore Hope have been deployed in the troubled creeks to complement the effort of the Marine Police.
Kidnappers insist on N20m ransom for lawmaker’s son
Meanwhile, the kidnappers of the son of the only female member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mrs. Ruby Benjamin, have vowed to hold unto him until his parents are prepared to meet their N20 million ransom.
Although the whereabouts of the kidnapped lad could not be ascertained at press time, a source told Vanguard that the gunmen had offered to allow a member of his family access to him at an undisclosed camp in the creek through a contact but with a stern warning that their victim�s life could be jeopardised if they contacted security agents.
The source said the kidnap might not be unconnected with the earlier demand by some persons that the lawmaker pay them N1 million before her inauguration as a member of the state House of Assembly.
The sporadic shooting in Port Harcourt by rival gangs entered its fourth day yesterday. The shooting was pronounced around Trans-Amadi, Woji and Aba road.
At press time, no fewer than four persons were feared dead. The latest onslaught is coming barely 24 hours after Governor Celestine Omehia in a broadcast on Wednesday evening vowed to deal ruthlessly with those behind the shootings.
Gov talks tough in broadcast
He said: �It is clear that what is happening in the state is not for the freedom fighters. We are no more seeing people fighting for the emancipation of the Niger Delta and in particular Rivers State.
�This is certainly not in the interest of our people. It is, therefore, not acceptable by Rivers people, more so by the government of Rivers State.
�We have consulted with relevant agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria and we have decided to handle this matter decisively.
�Rivers State Government wishes to call on parents and guardians in Rivers State to kindly restrain their sons, daughters and wards from engaging in senseless intimidation and violent activities within and outside Port Harcourt.
�The government cannot and will not allow the current situation in which criminal elements roam the streets of Port Harcourt with guns, knives and other dangerous weapons to intimidate and humiliate other free citizens of the state. Government has a responsibility to protect citizens from acts of random violence such as we have witnessed within three days running now.
�On assumption of office, we made it clear that some of our brothers who may have been misdirected would be pardoned as long as they renege, confess, we are ready to rehabilitate them. The government has responsibility to rehabilitate all of them and fund their economic well-being but from what we have seen since Monday, it is like a deliberate act by the people who are not willing to see to the progress of people in Rivers State and indeed the success of this government.
�Henceforth, anyone who engages in indiscriminate use of firearms, kidnapping, cultism and all the activities inimical to the development of the state will have himself or herself to blame.
�Parents and guardians are hereby advised to caution their children or wards before they are harmed by the security agencies. We can no longer sit down and watch them in the name of peace.�
Meanwhile, multinational firms and other companies in the state capital have tightened security around their premises.