Following the face-off between the men of the Nigerian Navy and some communities in the coastal area of Ondo State, over the killing of some naval officers and seizure of their ammunition by some suspected sea pirates, the state government, on Sunday, called for cautions.
Palpable tension has enveloped some of the communities since December when Naval officers stormed the communities in search of some suspected sea pirates who kidnapped two foreigners, killed four of its men and bolted away with their arms and ammunition.
However, the Ondo State government on Sunday called for caution just as it appealed to the men of the naval rating to de-escalate tension in the area by dialoguing with the leadership of the community to achieve positive approach.
The state government also called on the community leaders to show enough cooperation and understanding with the security agencies in fishing out criminals and make the waterways safe.
This was contained in a statement issued by the state government and signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, who said the appeal became imperative to douse tension and apprehension in the area.
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Ojogo said: “The Ondo State government deems it pertinent to intervene in the ongoing face-off between men of the Nigerian Navy and the riverine communities of Ilaje Local Government Area of the State.
“Specifically, Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, expresses concern over reported cases of incessant altercations between the Navy and the communities believably, as a result of the former’s efforts to recover arms allegedly in the possession of some youths.
“For the records, the government received a series of reports in respect of this development and has followed up efforts geared toward the recovery of such arms allegedly in the hands of some youths.”
He, however, expressed the desire of the state government to return peace to the area while maintaining that criminals should not be harboured in the communities to ensure the security of lives and property, seeking the help of the community in this regard.
He said: “it is worthy of mention that the desired success in this regard can only be achieved through community-based intelligence gathering.
“It is believed that under circumstances as such, the communities are likely to be more helpful”
He said further that: “Incessant altercations can only lead to needless fear, create apprehensions and brood friction and inadvertently, sustain suspicion.
“Government, therefore, appeals to the Nigerian Navy to de-escalate tension by engaging the communities in a manner that will engender a friendly approach to achieve positive results.
“Nonetheless, community leaders in the riverine areas of the state must, as a matter of urgency, show enough cooperation with security agencies to make the waterways safe.
“Confirmed reports of collaboration between community leaders and criminals will not be overlooked as the government will leave no stone unturned to bring perpetrators to face the full wrath of the law.”
It will be recalled that Gbagira community in the Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, was reportedly under siege following a clash with men of the Nigeria Navy and some suspected sea pirates.
It was gathered that Naval officers stormed the community in search for some suspected kidnappers who abducted two foreigners.
The Naval officers were said to have invaded the community to arrest other members of the group and the arms and ammunition used during the failed abduction.
But the people of the community complained that they were prevented from carrying out their economic and social activities as the naval officers moved from house to house in search of arms and ammunition.
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