There is palpable anxiety in the oil-rich Gbaramatu Kingdom as the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta in the early hours of Saturday arrested Kunukunuma Community Chairman, Chief Moses Bebenimibo, for alleged complicity with some wanted militants. Also arrested was one Kpaghan Marvellous, a student of Gbaruan Grammar School, and others during a raid on the kingdom.

The Ibe-Benemowei and Acting Secretary of Gbaramatu Traditional Council, Chief Godspower Gbenekama revealed the arrests in a press statement in Warri on Saturday in which he called for the immediate release of the arrested persons and strongly condemned the invasion of Gbaramatu kingdom.

According to Gbenekama, “I Chief Godspower Gbenekama was asked by the Gbaramatu Traditional Council to make this press statement and also to appeal to the Delta state government to come to our aid by way intervention so that this incessant arrest intimidation and brutality can stop.

“We are also using this medium to tell our President to call the military to order.

“We cannot at this time when we are looking for solutions to the problems of the Niger Delta be shopping for crisis.

“As I speak, one Chief Moses Bebenimibo who was on his way to Oporoza was arrested on his way by the military, another boy (Kpaghan Marvellous ) who is a student of Gbaraun Grammar School Oporoza is also arrested during the invasion of the communities.

“I am also using this medium to plead my Gbaramatu people,Ijaws, and all Niger Deltans to keep the peace in the face of all this provocations.”