By Akam James The Amadaowei of Adagbabiri Community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, HRH Alaowei Okee, has petitio...
By Akam James
The Amadaowei of Adagbabiri Community in Sagbama Local
Government Area of Bayelsa State, HRH Alaowei Okee, has petitioned the state
Commissioner of Police, Ben Okolo, over the unlawful activities of suspected
crude oil thieves in his domain, alleging that his refusal to agree with the
shady activities has led to threats to his life.
The Paramount ruler, who also denied abandoning his throne
and community due to the alleged threats from sponsors of the illegal oil
thieves, said he was duly elected by his people and gazetted by the State
Government of which he receives their total support not to allow such nefarious
and dangerous activities in his domain.
HRH Alaowei Okee, while speaking with newsmen in Yenagoa,
said the suspected members of the illegal oil theft syndicate approached him to
allow them set up an illegal oil bunkering site in the area and offered to pay
him some amount monthly but he refused.
He alleged, “They approached me about two months ago in my
palace and sought my cooperation with them to use my community as a base for
their illegal bunkering activities, and even offered to pay me N200, 000 per
truck of oil offloaded from the community’s waterfront but I refused to oblige
their request”.
He explained that he refused their offer because apart from
the financial benefits offered him, the community would suffer serious
environmental degradation and pollution; attract hoodlums with resultant cult
clashes and unnecessary gun-running activities that would bring about other
security breaches as it is in communities where such illegal activity takes
place.
“To my chagrin, I discovered that the illegal oil activities
were conceived despite my objections. At this junction, I would want to correct
other reports going on this matter. I first put a call through to the Deputy
Governor and when he was unreachable I quickly reported to the State
Commissioner of Police, Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense
Corps and the Nigerian Navy”
” I never for once got through to the state’s Deputy
Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo where he promised to relieve the
appointees of their appointments if they are found culpable in the illegal
trade” as reported in the media”
Okee said since he raised the alarm, he has received
multiple calls from the accused political appointee and unknown callers
threatening to snuff life out of him,”.
”They have rained insults and other threats on me and I,
therefore, want all concerned authorities to wade into this matter to bring the
perpetrators to book as a switch in time saves nine”.
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