FORMER militant leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo has called on the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to end its ongoing attack on oil installations across the region and embrace peace.
Over the last month, the NDA has stepped its attacks on oil facilities across the Niger Delta, blowing up pipeline and threatening operatives with reprisals. Ironically, the renewed militancy began after anti-graft agencies issued a warrant for Tompolo's arrest over his role in pipeline protection contracts.
Despite being linked to the bombings, Tompolo has regularly distanced himself from the NDA, saying he supports the government's amnesty programme designed to bring peace to the Niger Delta. From his place in hiding where he is refusing to accept a court summons and is evading the security forces, Tompolo has appealed to the NDA to lay down its arms.
Tompolo said: "You members of the Niger Delta Avengers group are aware that some mischievous persons have continued to point accusing fingers at me that I am either behind you or directly carrying out the destruction of oil pipelines across the Niger Delta region, therefore I should be arrested by the Nigerian military. Sadly, the military had bought this ethnic induced and wicked accusation without a single proof to show that I am truly behind you people.
"On the other hand, some have suggested that you may be part of the multitude of persons I had catered for, from economically empowering to payment of school fees, hospital bills and house rents and so on and that as I am out of circulation as a result of my travails in the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), you might be tempted to strike out on your own for sheer survival. I am a man of truth and peace, therefore will not be involved in violent activities."
Maintaining that he knows nothing about the new militant group and the destruction of crude oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, Tompolo said he had made it clear in many occasions that the issue he has with the EFFC would not make him resort to violence and bombing of oil pipelines. He added that his team of lawyers had already challenged the defective process of legal service on him at the Court of Appeal.
‘That notwithstanding, for the love of country and out of patriotism, I wish to appeal to you once again to stop the bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region and embrace the path of dialogue with the Federal Government of Nigeria. The government is ready to hear you out on whatever issues you wish to discuss with it.
"You guys know that I do not know you and how to reach you, except through the mass media. If truly as you guys claimed that you are fighting for the well-being of the people of the Niger Delta, then you must adhere to this appeal otherwise, the world will label you as criminals," Tompolo added.
Reminding the new group of the consequences of their actions in the Niger Delta region, particularly as it affects him and the people of Gbaramatu kingdom, Tompolo said just yesterday, the Nigerian Army invaded the ancestral headquarters of the kingdom, Oporoza town, under the guise of looking for members of the group, particularly him and unleashed mayhem on the innocent people of the community. Tompolo added that even pots of soup where not spared as the army looted residents’ homes, desecrated traditional places of worship and committed sacrilege and abominations.
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