Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 09, 2008 News
by Rainsford Whyte
Pirate James Gibson was killed with two accomplices in a shootout with police in Berbice two weeks ago but his links among the still living should be cause for concern in some political circles.
Gibson clearly was not among the ordinary local opportunistic run-of-the-mill pirates who prey on fishermen off the Guyana coast stealing engines, fuel, catches, seines and boats. He was in a level, a caliber above that.
This was a man who met the educational and other qualifications to be selected for training as an officer in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
As has been noted elsewhere, he was probably among the members of the gang who may have been motivated more by the lure of loot and those who fell for the line of (in the words of Mr. Eusi Kwayana) the “political sophisticated leadership” who entered Buxton from the outside with a litany of grievances to entice bright but alienated young men into their web of terror.
Gibson and his pirate accomplice Cliff Chichester, who died with him in the Cromarty shootout, came from the local middle class, and had completed high school, with Gibson even attending the University of Guyana.
As the same newspaper commented, “They were perfect grist for the machinations of those who wanted to make political points against the government through the new technology of terrorism.”
It added, “We can be certain that the `political sophisticates’ are in the wings, waiting to pull the strings controlling still unexposed (or potential) recruits for their deadly attacks against the forces of law and order.”
Police said Gibson was also the latest bandit to have had one of the AK-47 rifles reported stolen from the army several years ago.
What should be cause for concern are the links Police have established between Gibson and sedition accused, former GDF Lieutenant Oliver Hinckson.
Police said Gibson was charged with having an unlicenced gun and was originally placed on bail in the Berbice Court by then Magistrate Kumar Doorasammy.
He was again granted bail by Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys after he was charged and placed before the court in Georgetown for the same offence, police said.
According to Police, Gibson was charged after he was found with a gun that was used in the deadly June 21, 2002 attack on the Police outpost at Rose Hall, Berbice.
That was a well-planned and executed attack with clear political motivations against the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic).
Two cops were killed in the assault on the police outpost by six heavily-armed men.
Police said Gibson was also later jointly charged with Hinckson, again for possession of firearm without licence, and was also on bail in this matter which is before the Georgetown courts. He was not attending court in these matters and arrest warrants had been issued for him, Police reported.
The GDF said Gibson was dismissed from the army after failing to meet the required standards on its Standard Officer’s Course.
It said Chichester was a Lance Corporal who was dismissed for stealing from the GDF.
Gibson’s death now poses several crucial questions.
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