An International environmentalist, Alhaji Musa Saidu has called on the Chief of Defence Staff , CDS, General Lucky Irabor to investigate allegations that some military men are providing cover for illegal bunkering operations to thrive in the Niger Delta.
Saidu who is the Coordinator and Special Envoy, Ecology and Marine, Africa of the International Human Right Commission, IHRC, said he wrote to the office of the Chief of Defence Staff,CDS, to investigate the allegations, adding that it was high time this was done.
Continuing, he said the Federal government should ensure any one caught for illegal bunkering operations is prosecuted , stressing that this way the fight against illegal bunkering would achieve greater results.
He further called for review of the laws to achieve speedy trials of any one arrested for illegal bunkering activities.
” The military authority should thoroughly investigate allegations of illegal bunkering against some of their men that have been in the Niger Delta for almost two years “
” We have it that some personel posted for anti bunkering operations bring their brothers from where they come from to do bunkering. This should be investigated”.
“The bad eggs should be fished out and made to face.the law “
“I have written to the Chief of Army Staff on this.
Some persons have openly boasted to us that we are only informants and can’t do more than that. “
“I am very happy that the governor of a state in the Niger Delta, Rivers State, has started this war against illegal bunkering. It is not enough to stop bunkering without prosecuting those involved. “
“They should prosecute those involved. They should not allow Rivers State government alone fight illegal bunkering. “
Saidu also made case for extension of years of service for the military and other security agencies.
Vanguard
