A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, Mr Christian Don-Pedro, has appealed to the states and the Federal Government to secure waterways within coastal communities in the state.
Don-Pedro made the call in an interview in Port Harcourt.
He spoke while reacting to the reported killing of two indigenes of Kula community by pirates operating in the community’s waterways in the state.
The Nigeria Police Command in Rivers had confirmed the killing of two persons on the Kula waterways in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of the state on April 20.
According to Mr Nnamdi Omoni, the spokesperson for the Command, some other persons, including a police officer, sustained injuries in the attack.
Don-Pedro, who also condemned the incident, called on the government to deploy a joint security team to monitor Kula community’s maritime domain against piracy.
“The people of Kula community have complained enough on the issue insecurity on the waterways, as sea-pirates and armed kidnappers have been terrorising the area.
“Boat drivers, businessmen and women have been put out of their means of daily livelihood because of the nefarious activities of armed criminals,” he said.
According to him, the people of Kula have cried enough for government to come and secure their territory.
“It is so surprising that government that ought to take the issue of security of lives and property as its primary responsibility is complacent on this.
“If the government continues to keep quiet, as a community, we cannot afford to be complacent anymore.
“The ugly incident of April 20 is a wake-up call for the people of Kula to put behind their past and face the hydra-headed monster on our waterways squarely,” he said.
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