Two civil society groups, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and the Environmental Right Action (ERA), have advocated a multi sectoral approach to boost maritime security in Bayelsa waterways to achieve economic prosperity for coastal settlements.

The rights groups expressed concerns over the incessant killings of security personnel and civilians on the state's waterways.

The groups, therefore, demanded the establishment of coast guards on the waterways, particularly areas not adequately policed by security agencies as part of the measures to check the ugly trend.

In less than one month, no fewer than 10 persons including seven security personnel have been killed by suspected pirates on the waterways in Bayelsa in four.

The groups in a joint statement on Thursday by the Chairman, CLO, Chief Nengi James, and Coordinator, ERA, Mr. Alagoa Morris, condemned the killings.

They urged the security agencies in the state to involve communities in fashioning out effective strategies to bring about lasting solution, saying that all critical stakeholders should be involved, including community structures, and retired military and other security personnel.

“There is need to mark out the most vulnerable spots and ensure regular and effective patrolling by well-armed and equipped marine craft fitted with up to date communication gadgets.

“The role of our traditional rulers/institution should be spelt out in the Constitution to enable our traditional rulers to play more effective roles in their domains.

“In addition, the issue of community policing should be seen in practical terms rather than only in concept and a things of the lips.

“The energy of youths, if left unutilised in positive ways, could be directed into negative, harmful use.

“And so, instead of the Bayelsa Volunteers, whose activities are unknown to most members of the public, a more robust and effective vigilance group should be formally established to assist and complement the security agencies.

“They will do so by bridging important gaps by way of critical information gathering and locating hideouts of criminals.

“Communities should be able to identify strangers in their environment and monitor activities of all. Government should support community vigilantes with monthly stipends and necessary working tools, especially those on night duty.

“It is surprising that the foremost youth body in Ijawland, the Ijaw Youth Council has not been involved in the effort to bring down these ugly incidents in the state.

“As a body of the most formidable youth group in the land, the IYC should work in close relationship with government and security agencies to come up with lasting solution; to ensure the effectiveness of vigilantes in our creeks and communities.

“Those who kill fellow citizens, no matter how long; let the proverbial long arm of the law locate and catch up with them, and get them prosecuted according to the law,” The statement read in part.

They called on the federal and state governments to consider also the lives and property of the people, condemning the scenario whereby crude oil and gas appeared more important to the government than the human beings whom those in government were representing.

“The scenario whereby well armed securitymen are found only in crude oil installations like and when escorting oil workers and vessels and not at strategic locations as they are on our roads should be seen as indicting the security agencies and government in this regard,” the groups said.

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