Sampson Itode, P/Harcourt
The Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, and the Chairman of the Degema Local Government Council of Rivers State, Tony Philmoore, have traded blames over the porous security on the Bille-Port Harcourt waterways, which has led to the death of several sea travellers through pirates’ attacks.
When contacted by The PUNCH on the incessant pirate attacks and the inability of the army to protect the people despite several pleas, the spokesman, 6 Division, NA, Charles Ekeocha, said the army was doing its best to ensure the protection of lives and property on the waterways, adding that cordial relationships between the leadership of the council and the army would engender improved security of the area.
On his part, Philmoore said despite concerted efforts by the council to improve security on the waterways, the former army commander dismantled several checkpoints in the area as well as disbanded the community policing outfit organised by the local government in collaboration with various security agencies to check piracy in the area.
He added that the new commander had shown willingness to work with the people to improve the security of the coastal communities.
Philmoore stated, “The previous commander in charge of this area, upon his resumption, destroyed the efficient security architecture that his predecessors and other security agencies in collaboration with the Degema council built; he also dismantled the military checkpoints at strategic positions in the area.
“There was a time when Bille was often attacked by pirates and it was on the strength of that that Governor Nyesom Wike donated gunboats to the security agencies and we also bought our own gunboat and brought about Delga sting, a community policing outfit that was working day and night to tackle sea piracy in our area, but the former commander came and confiscated that boat and arrested the youth.”
Meanwhile, residents of Bille community, on Wednesday, staged a peaceful protest to call on the army to improve their security situation on the waterways.
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