Military invasion: Gbaramatu leaders, elders commend troops for peaceful engagement in Niger Delta

Led by acting secretary of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, the leaders and elders said the people were happy that the military heeded their cry against the alleged planned bombardment.

Other leaders and elders of the kingdom who spoke to Nigerian Tribune on situation report in kingdom, on Thursday in Warrior  included secretary of the Benekruku Elders’ Council, Dcn. Piniki Sylvester, Chief Samuel Okirika, Mrs Fanty Wariyai and Mr Victor Tonlagha among others.

When asked the situation report in the kingdom,  the Benemowei of the kingdom, Chief Gbenekama said everywhere was calm and that no evil report concerning the troops patrolling the waterways had emanated from residents of the kingdom.

“For now,  the riverine area is calm; the Niger Delta is calm, but for some issues of the killing of soldiers in Bayelsa sometime ago.

“The river is calm except some fifth columnists who are trying to throw spanners in the wheel of progress and peace in the region,” Gbenekama averred.

He enjoined folks in communities in the kingdom to remain calm and law-abiding as well as allow leaders of the region to discuss issues that concern them with the federal government.

While speaking further on the military operation in the region, Chief Gbenekama disclosed that the military should continue to do the needful in the course of their mission.

“Though the military went round communities on Sunday night, there was no major event we got.

“They didn’t go into any community; they didn’t fight anybody; they didn’t shoot anybody; they didn’t harass anybody.

“So, we thank the military high command for listening to a sense of reasoning.

“let them continue to do the needful; we leaders of the Niger Delta, we only support them to ensure that there is peace in our area,” he appealed.

The leaders has however appealed to all militant groups in the region to key into the peace and dialogue initiative of the Niger Delta Coastal States Stakeholders initiative led by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark in order to return peace and economic robustness to the region.