Olu of Warri: wants more soldiers in Niger Delta

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwole, has pleaded with Mr John Bray, the U.S. Consul-General in Nigeria to prevail on the Federal Government to ensure adequate military presence in the Niger Delta.

Ikenwole made the plea on Monday when Bray led a U.S. delegation on a visit to the monarch’s palace in Warri.

He said that the call for military presence in the Niger Delta by the Itsekiri nation was not to intimidate their Ijaw neighbours, but to ensure that law and order prevailed in the riverine area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was in continuation of the U.S. engagement of stakeholders in support of dialogue for peace in the Niger Delta.

“The reason the Itsekiri nation wants more military bases in Delta waterways was to ensure law and order in the creeks.

“We are not saying the military should go and harass people, but their presence will instill law and order.

“There has been a lot of vandalism and violence; and the Police saddled with the statutory duty of internal security, are nowhere in the creeks.

“If there is break down of law now, it takes the military not less than three hours to reach the creak for intervention, so we are saying the military should have more bases in our communities,” he said.

The monarch also called for the rehabilitation of the moribund Warri and Koko Ports; as well as commencement of work on the Export Processing Zone in Ogidigben, Warri South-West Local Government Area to boost employment.

Earlier, Bray had told the monarch that his team had met with Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa in continuation of their engagement.

“We are looking forward to visiting more communities, even in the creeks,’’ he said. (NAN)