FORMER Niger Delta militant commander Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo has once more appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to end their ongoing campaign of violence and enter into talks with the government.
Over recent months, the NDA has stepped up militancy ion the Niger Delta, blowing up oil pipelines and installations, which has drastically cut Nigeria's output. It is believed that the NDA was founded after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) got an arrest warrant for Tompolo.
Wanted in connection with his role in the awarding of pipeline protection contracts, Tompolo was asked by the EFCC to appear at his offices but he shunned the invitation. Subsequently, the commission got a warrant for his arrest and he is believed to have fled Nigeria and taken refuge in Libya.
Despite the claims that the NDA is his baby, Tompolo has denied having anything to do with the group, adding that he does not support their campaign. In the past, he has called in the NDA to lay down its arms and enter into negotiations with the government and yesterday, he repeated this call.
Tompolo said: “I wish to once again write the members of the Niger Delta Avengers to embrace the federal government's dialogue option as a way out of the brewing crisis in the Niger Delta region. As I have said before now, I do not know you and how to reach you except through the mass media, therefore it is high time you stopped the bombing and destruction of crude oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.
“One thing you guys may not be aware of is that you have not only succeeded in militarising the Niger Delta region now but also succeeded in given birth to so many negotiators and political jobbers within the government circle, who are very serious rumour peddlers in the country now. Presently all communities in Gbaramatu kingdom have been deserted by residents for fear of a repeat of the 2009 military invasion, which still leave the communities in shambles."
He lamented the fact that the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom, where he comes from, have not known peace since the NDA started bombing oil facilities. In response to the NDA's campaign, the Nigerian government has sent troops into the Niger Delta and Gbaramatu has been ransacked by marauding soldiers.
“Even until now, the military has not returned the symbol of authority they took away from the Egbesu Shrine and other valuables in Oporoza community during the May 28 invasion. It is pertinent to state that I have not heard and seen in any part of Nigeria, even the most volatile northeast where Boko Haram has been killing innocent people, the way and manner the military desecrated the traditional worship centres in Gbaramatu Kingdom.
“This is a clear oppression and intimidation of the peace loving people of Gbaramatu Kingdom Another dangerous dimension my traducers have introduced into this issue is the allegation that some of my closest men are coordinators of the Niger Delta Avengers," Tompolo added.
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