Group seeks justice for Tantita staff over attack on Bayelsa community

A Civil Society Group, Partnership Advocacy for Sustainable Society (PASS) has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and deliver justice following a violent attack on Mr. Abu Joseph, a staff of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, and the Akamama community in the Opuama Kingdom, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.

Speaking at a world press conference held on Saturday in Abuja, the Convener of PASS, Lion Adebayo, decried the repeated invasions of the Akamama community by gunmen suspected to be security personnel attached to private surveillance companies.

According to Adebayo, the latest attack left Mr. Abu Joseph’s home and properties worth millions of naira destroyed, rendering him and his family homeless and displacing many community members.

“Mr Abu, a staff of Tantita Security Services Nig. Ltd. (Bayelsa Operations) is the head of operations at Lagosgbene Camp. He has been subjected to numerous inhuman treatments including unjust refusal to pay his salaries leading to trauma,” Adebayo said.

He added that, “As if that’s not enough, gunmen dressed in military uniforms suspected to be personnel and workers of the popular surveillance companies invaded his residence with military gunboats destroying ABU’S buildings and other properties worth millions rendering him and family homeless with personal staff and aides displaced and unemployed.”

He explained that the reoccurring attack came barely 10 days after a previous attack on Abu’s property and the helpless community.

He alleged that the repeated attacked on the coastal community, has created economic hardship and halting socio economic activities in the agrarian community.

According to him, women, men, and children fled into surrounding bushes to escape the violence, further highlighting the community’s vulnerability.

He said, “The nefarious act of coming to invade Abu’s compound, the community and others has become a regular occurrence yet the federal government has not intervened, hence the need for this Press Conference to draw the attention of the federal and state government as well as the owners of the surveillance companies.”

The group listed key demands including an immediate end to the attacks, full compensation for Mr. Abu Joseph and other affected residents, payment of all withheld entitlements, and protection of the human rights and dignity of the Akamama people.

PASS also called on the federal and state governments, human rights organizations, and the international community to condemn the attacks, ensure accountability, and provide necessary support to the displaced victims.

“If urgent steps are not taken, the Akamama community risks being completely wiped out by these unprovoked assaults,” Adebayo warned.

The group pledged its solidarity with Mr. Abu Joseph and the Akamama people, vowing to continue advocacy efforts until justice is served.