Niger Delta militants cancel Yenagoa meeting amid security concerns and boycott threats

NIGER Delta militant leaders have cancelled a planned meeting due to take place in Yenagoa today amid security concerns that forced the Bayesla State governor Seriake Dickson to scrap the gathering.

 

Earlier this week, militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, summoned a meeting of ex-militant warlords in Yenagoa for today. Among the issues on the agenda are President Muhammadu Buhari's revocation of their pipeline protection contracts and the loss of scholarship some of their members have recently suffered.

 

However, security concerns have forced Governor Dickson to ask Tompolo to shelve the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) gathering. Governor Dickson appealed for a postponement after several militants leaders including the likes of Victor Ben Ebikabowei, popularly known as Boyloaf, Africa, Pastor Reuben, Shoot-at-Sight, Ogunboss, Ateke Tom, Farrah and several other commanders threatened to boycott the meeting over security concerns.

 

Mend spokesman Jomo Gbomo, said the group would have nothing to do with Tompolo or any assembly of dubious contractors and disgruntled elements. However, Tompolo had claimed that the meeting was aimed at deepening the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta.

 

Governor Dickson, however, proposed an alternative forum for the ex-militant leaders at a later date. Calling their understanding and cooperation, the governor promised to meet with them personally to discuss issues affecting them and other matters of overall strategic interest of the region and the country.

 

Signs that all was not well in the ex-militants’ camp emerged early yesterday after reports from the camps of Boyloaf and others suggested they were unhappy with what they perceived as an attempt by Tompolo to lord it over the rest of them. Several militant leaders agreed to stay away from Tompolo’s gathering but promised to attend any other meeting to be called by the governor.

 

 Most of them were reportedly angry with Tompolo for summoning the meeting without adequate consultations. They were said to be unhappy that the former militant commander fondly referred to as the general officer commanding was trying to impose himself on them as leader whereas they are all equals.

 

 They are also said to be of the view that it is too early to begin to assess President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and his plans for the region. One of the main grouses of the meeting was that President Buhari has cancelled their pipeline protection contracts.