The men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Restore Hope, in the Niger Delta recently arrested four Americans and a Nigerian for alleged espionage in the creeks of the Niger Delta region. The Commander of the JTF, Brig-Gen. Wuyep Rintip, said that the four Americans were arrested along with a Nigerian, Mr. Joel Bisina, in the creeks of Sapele in Delta State.
Rintip further explained that the suspects were arrested because they were found at a suspicious location in the Niger Delta without the authorization of the security agencies in the area.
Besides, the suspects at the time of arrest were said to posses sophisticated gadgets which raised the suspicion of their having ulterior motives. The JTF also opined that the expatriates and their host violated the nation’s rules that require them to seek clearance and protection from it before embarking on the trip.
The JTF is also working on the theory that since the militants were planning to kidnap 25 expatriates in Delta State, these Americans would have unwittingly offered themselves as victims. The suspects have been flown to Abuja on the orders of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Andrew Azazi.
The Nigerian, Bisina, is the National Co-ordinator of the Niger Delta Professionals for Development, a non-governmental organization. The group had reportedly spearheaded the search for peace and development in the highly volatile region. It was alleged that the ill-fated trip was meant to expose the foreigners to the plight of the inhabitants of the region with a view to attract foreign investment into the region.
Bisina, the leader of the group, said that their visit was with the knowledge of the CDS. But, the military authorities stoutly denied it saying that there was no record of any appointment with the group or individual with the CDS.
The current espionage is coming on the heels of an earlier one involving Dr. Judith Asuni, two Germans and a Nigerian. They were arrested and arraigned on espionage charges, which were later dropped, and the suspects released for want of evidence. We hope that the present one does not turn out to be a ruse like the previous one. We would want this matter to be thoroughly investigated to unravel the veracity or otherwise of this allegation. Let the investigation be thorough and transparent so that no clues are left unexplored in this fact-finding matter.
We are tired of allegations of espionage that would later turn out to be a hoax. Such arrests in Nigeria have become embarrassing and laughable considering their falsity and increasing occurrence. Espionage matters bother on national security and as such should be treated with utmost seriousness and concern.
Espionage matters are not trifle that our security agents would be making capital of. The issue of security should be taken seriously in view of its obvious implication to public safety. It is a fact that negligence of security reports has caused nations avoidable agonies.
But we want our security agents to be careful in the way they handle such matters. There is need to be cautious in reaching conclusions in these matters.
