•Claims associates not coordinating group
•Group appeals to NDA to embrace peace
Wanted former militant, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) yesterday denied suggestion that his close associates are coordinating the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
Tompolo who, for the umpteenth time asked the militants to stop further attacks on oil facilities in his Gbaramatu community in Delta State and other parts of the Niger Delta, said he is sure that President Buhari is sincere about ending the crisis.
He therefore advised them to embrace dialogue, saying “it is the only pragmatic means in resolving crisis.”
“I believe fervently that the government is serious and willing to end this reoccurring crisis in the region. Enough is enough,” he said.
“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 militarizing the Niger Delta region now, but also succeeded in giving birth to so many negotiators and political jobbers within the government circle, who are very serious rumour peddlers in the country now.”
This is coming as the South-South Community Association of Nigeria (SOSCAN) has appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to embrace peace.
According to its National Coordinator, Rev. David Vama Idabor, “We cannot afford to waste innocent lives in the region” adding, “truly we have lost political power, but we have not lost our place in the Nigeria project.”
Tompolo lamented that the people of Gbaramatu kingdom have not known peace since the group started the bombing of oil facilities.
He accused the military and members of the Joint Task Force of carrying out mass murder and destruction of property and invasion of sacred parts of the communities in Gbaramatu.
He said the people of Gbaramatu “have been harassed, intimidated, violated and invaded on daily basis by the Nigerian Military under the guise of looking for members of your group (Niger Delta Avengers) and my humble self, who they have criminally and wickedly linked to the Niger Delta Avengers.
“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.
“Even till 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, 2016 invasion.”
On the allegation that his men are behind the Avengers, Tompolo said nothing could be farther from the truth.
The South-South Community Association of Nigeria (SOSCAN) called on the Niger Deltans to come together to discuss “our future as a nation in the federation beyond politics and oil and gas as our major strength.
” It called on the NDA top ceasefire “so that we can negotiate a way forward. The Nigerian nation today needs a focus and any distraction and digression will not do us any good.
Idabor in the statement called on all Nigerians to see beyond their tribal interests.
