ELEME CHAIRMAN MUST ANSWER QUESTIONS OVER ALLEGED SAFE HAVEN FOR ARMED ATTACKERS - PRINCE DIVINE MANSON BARIFODUM

Prince Divine Manson Barifodum has called on the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Chief Obarilomate Ollor, to address allegations concerning the presence of armed men and suspected bandits around Agbalor/Ebubu, amid growing security concerns in communities along the Eleme–Tai axis.

Barifodum, in a statement on the security situation, alleged that armed groups operating around Agbalor/Ebubu may have been involved in attacks on neighbouring Ogoni communities.

He called for an immediate investigation into the allegations, stressing that the claims should not be ignored or treated as established facts without proper investigation by the relevant authorities.

According to him, communities around the Eleme–Tai axis have continued to face concerns over alleged armed attacks, killings and displacement, with community accounts claiming that more than 30 Ogoni people may have lost their lives in incidents allegedly linked to armed herders or bandits.

Barifodum said the reported figure should be independently verified by security agencies and other competent authorities.

He also questioned what steps the Eleme Local Government administration had taken to identify and address any alleged criminal activity within areas under its jurisdiction.

“If the authorities have credible information identifying the location of these armed men, why have decisive lawful security operations not been carried out?” he asked.

He further urged the relevant security agencies to investigate whether any individuals, government officials or community leaders had knowingly provided accommodation, protection, logistics or safe passage to persons involved in violent criminal activities.

Barifodum also drew attention to the response of the Tai Local Government administration to recent security incidents.

He said Tai Local Government Chairman, Mbakpone Okpe, had publicly spoken about attacks in the area and stated that he personally accompanied police and a Joint Military Task Force to an affected location. According to Barifodum, the Tai chairman also said the matter was escalated to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, with requests for continued security patrols.

Barifodum said the reported response raised questions about the level of engagement by the Eleme Local Government administration concerning security concerns around Agbalor/Ebubu.

He argued that because of the geographical proximity between Eleme and Tai, security threats allegedly originating from one area could have consequences for neighbouring communities.

He therefore called for sustained security patrols around vulnerable communities along the Eleme–Tai boundary and urged the Rivers State Government and federal security agencies to investigate reported killings and other security incidents in the area.

Among his demands are an immediate investigation into the alleged presence of armed groups around Agbalor/Ebubu, an investigation into reported attacks on Ogoni communities, and a public explanation from the Eleme Local Government Chairman on measures taken to address the security concerns.

He also called for investigations into any allegations involving individuals who may have knowingly assisted violent criminal groups.

Barifodum stressed that his concerns were directed at alleged criminal activity and not against any ethnic group or law-abiding herders.

“Our objection is to armed criminality, killings and the alleged use of communities as bases for attacks against innocent people,” he said.

He urged authorities to ensure that anyone found through due investigation to have participated in, enabled or protected violent criminal activity is prosecuted according to Nigerian law.

The statement comes amid continuing concerns over security in parts of Ogoniland and neighbouring communities, with calls for stronger collaboration among local government authorities and security agencies to protect residents and investigate reported attacks.