NNS ANDONI, first locally-made warship constructed by Nigerian Navy engineers, to be commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Nigerian Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, tomorrow.
It’s a lie to discredit our crusade against illegal bunkering – Navy
BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME
WARRI: Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative , IPDI, has accused the Nigerian Navy of allegedly killing an Ijaw youth , Mr Danzu Michael when it invaded Benneth island in Warri south west local government area, Delta state in search of crude oil theives
Ozobo in the letter alleged that the shooting at Salvation city community, caused panic in the area as residents scampered for safety.
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He said men of the Navy from NNS Delta had always conducted its operations in the most professional manner.
“Our operations at Benneth island had no casualty , we were also mindful of the environment. We had no record of death during our operation ,” he said.
The Ijaw group on its part, further enjoined the Chief of Naval Staff to investigate its allegations against operations of men of the NNS, Delta, pleading that those found wanting should be brought to book.
Continuing, it said no illegal bunkering activities occur in the communities. “We wish to state that invasion of an entire community in the name of looking for alleged oil bunkers amounts to the violation of the fundamental right of members of the Salvation City Community. Our Client is not against efforts to stop people who involve themselves in acts of criminality and are ready to work with security agencies in this respect. However, it is illegal for an entire community to be invaded in the name of looking for illegal oil bunkers. If there are people who are alleged to have violated the laws of the land, the action should be directed at those people and not the entire or innocent members of the community.
Demand that your office, being a responsible organization should carry out a thorough investigation of the unlawful killing of Danzu Michael and frequent invasions of Salvation City Community by officers of NNS Delta and bring those officers to justice to act as deterrent to others in the future. “, the group said its letter to the CNS.
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