Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed grave concern over a disturbing new development in the state's battle against illegal oil refining, revealing that women and children are being exploited as human shields at illegal bunkering camps. This troubling revelation came during a meeting with first-class traditional rulers and local government chairmen at the Government House in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
Governor Diri emphasized the alarming nature of this trend, which he described as a serious and unprecedented escalation in the ongoing war against illegal oil operations. According to him, recent reports indicate that women and children are increasingly being used as shields at refining sites to protect criminals from military strikes.
"This is a disturbing and new dimension to what we’ve been facing," Diri remarked, acknowledging that previous intelligence had never pointed to the involvement of vulnerable groups in such dangerous operations. "I recently received reports that at some of the illegal bunkering sites, children and women are now being stationed to shield those locations during military operations. When the military attempts reconnaissance or planning destruction of these camps, they discover these vulnerable groups present," he said.
This alarming shift in tactics has made it more difficult for security forces to target these illegal refineries without risking civilian casualties. The governor stressed the need for collective action from all levels of government and the community to tackle the problem effectively. He particularly called on traditional rulers to take a more active role in sensitizing their people about the devastating consequences of illegal oil refining, both for the environment and public health.
Communities along the state’s riverine areas, including Brass, Ekeremor, Nembe, and Southern Ijaw, have become hotspots for illegal bunkering activities. Governor Diri noted that it is within these regions that this new practice of using women and children as human shields has reportedly been most prevalent. He called on traditional leaders in these areas to help spread awareness about the dangers posed by the illegal oil operations and to discourage their involvement.
“There was an incident where the military had to withdraw after discovering that children and women were among those in the bunkering camps,” Diri continued, highlighting the complex challenges faced by security forces. “We must all work together to combat this growing menace."
In response to the illegal refining crisis, the Bayelsa State government has stepped up efforts by directing local government chairmen to establish community-based vigilante groups. These groups are intended to monitor illegal bunkering activities and reduce their prevalence in their respective localities. While security agencies have intensified their operations, the governor acknowledged that eliminating illegal oil refining requires a comprehensive approach that includes both law enforcement and community cooperation.
Governor Diri underscored the severe consequences of illegal oil activities, which not only undermine the state’s economy but also cause severe environmental damage and pose significant health risks to local populations. He reiterated the importance of a unified front in addressing these challenges, stressing that only through collective efforts can the state hope to curb the spread of illegal oil operations and protect the welfare of its citizens.
