Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has raised alarm over a disturbing trend in illegal oil refining activities within the state, revealing that children and women are now being used as human shields at these sites.
Governor Diri disclosed this during a meeting with first-class traditional rulers and local government chairmen at Government House, Yenagoa, as part of efforts to address the environmental and security challenges posed by illegal oil bunkering.
In a press release on Tuesday 24 December 2024 which was made available by Daniel Alabrah, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Diri explained that security operatives conducting reconnaissance operations uncovered the alarming development, which has added a distressing dimension to the already dangerous practice.
He called on traditional rulers to intensify public awareness campaigns on the dangers of illegal refining, particularly its harmful effects on human health and the environment.
“The report I received recently is that at illegal bunkering sites, they now have children and women, which is a dimension I have never heard before,” Governor Diri said.
“Sometimes, when the military are authorised to destroy those camps and they get there on reconnaissance, they discover that children and women are used to shield those places. So, we all have to work together in our domains to educate our people.
“There was a situation where the military moved in and discovered that children and women were there and had to withdraw,” he added.
The governor expressed concern over the prevalence of these illegal activities in areas such as Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor, Brass, and Nembe local government areas, stressing the need for immediate and concerted action.
He tasked the monarchs and council chairmen with reporting known bunkering sites in their communities to facilitate effective intervention. “This ugly trend can only be addressed through collaborative efforts. I urge you all to work with the state government and security agencies to put an end to this menace,” he said.
Governor Diri reaffirmed his administration's commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of the people of Bayelsa State and protecting the state’s environment from the devastating impacts of oil bunkering.
