Links with dreaded militant: Bayelsa groups wants Minister arrested, prosecuted

 

The Association of Concerned Bayelsa Professionals (ACBP) has called for the immediate arrest of Senator Heineken Lokpobiri over alleged breach of peace in his Ekeremor Local Government Area and parts of the state.

Lokpobiri, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, was said to be behind the dreaded late militant leader, Karowei.

The group had in a statement signed by his chairman, Comrade Ebi James, faulted the claim of Lokpobiri that he had no relationship with the militant leader.

Governor Seriake Dickson recently raised alarm over the activities of some political leaders in the state, especially those that are promoting crime and criminality in the state.

The Governor specifically alleged that Lokpobiri was the sponsor of the late militant leader, Kareowei, who was terrorizing some Riverine Communities in Delta and Bayelsa State.

The statement described the recent breach of peace in some parts of the state as unacceptable and called on the operatives to spread their tentacles by ensuring that the perpetrators and their sponsors are brought to book.

The group noted with dismay the activities of the Minster of state for Agriculture Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, especially his involvement in the security breach in Ndoro, Ekeremor local government area of the state.

It wonders the kind of legacy the Minister wants to leave behind for the upcoming generations, as every finger is pointing towards his direction over the recent happenings in his local government area.

The statement added that the Minister has a responsibility to exonerate himself of the grave allegation made against him by the governor.

The group faulted the claim of Senator Lokpobiri, that he has not met with late militant leader in his life, describing it as lie from the pit of hell.

“Senator Lokpobiri sounded like a confused human being. How can a person you claimed not to have met in your life, threatened your life on a particular day by firing rounds into the river.

“His explanation seems to be throwing up more questions than the answers that should assuage the worries of the Bayelsa people. The lame argument by Lokpobiri also shows that he obviously had a relationship with the militant leaders which went bad.

We are of the opinion that Senator Lokpobiri and other criminal elements  masquerading as leaders in APC, having failed in their bid to take over leadership of the state in 2016 by force, are now sponsoring another round of violence.

The statement accused Lokpobiri of devoting his energy to sponsoring violence in the state rather than using his position at the federal level to attract investments to the state.

James lamented that, as a Senator and Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, no single developmental project in the state could be traced to Lokpobiri.

The statement recalled how 2016, Lopkobiri led violent elements in APC to spearhead the violence that rocked the conduct of governorship election in Ekeremor local government.

“Disturbed by this development, we the members of the Bayelsa Youths Forum have found it necessary to take a position on the sensitive security issues raised by the governor that politicians are arming Bayelsa youths to terrorize innocent people.

“We advised that the President should exercise his powers and remain loyal to his oath office by arresting Lokpobiri and other APC chieftains fingered in the evil plot to turn Bayelsa into a killing field. A stitch in time saves nine”,  the ACBP stated.