By Ochuko Akuopha

OLEH— Isoko Movement Against Social Slavery and Economic Sabotage, IMASSES, a civil society organisation in Delta State, has frowned at what it described as the ongoing unwarranted arrest and harassment of some indigenes of Idheze community, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State by soldiers over the recent suspected vandalism of a Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC pipeline in the community.

It, however, condemned the “dastardly act of pipeline vandalism that was carried out by some unknown vandals,” advising Agip to thread with caution and desist from further arrests so as not to allow the already tense situation degenerate into full blown crisis.

The group, in a statement by its coordinator, Apostle Jacob Joshua, lamented the “manner of arrests and harassment” of the community’s indigenes by the soldiers “under the watchful eyes” of Agip and called for the immediate release of those in detention.

It said, “The way and manner the oil company is taking the matter is not community friendly.  No matter what happened, Agip should know that Idheze community is a host community to them. If they don’t call the soldiers back from their ongoing action of intimidation, harassment and arrest, then it will be an act of threat to the indigenes of the land and this can be counterproductive as it can boomerang and become an avenue for restiveness as seen and witnessed in other parts of the country.”