TheCable

Government Ekpemupolo, ex-militant leader better known as Tompolo, has advised the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to cease hostilities and enter into an agreement with the federal government.

Condemning the military invasion of Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom in Delta state, Tompolo said the government would stop at nothing to ensure smooth flow of crude oil.

He said the activities of NDA have been affecting him and the people of the region, dismissing the claims that he has links to the group.

“Come to think of the consequences of your actions in the region, particularly as it affects me and the people of Gbaramatu kingdom. Just yesterday (Saturday), the Nigerian army invaded the ancestral headquarters of the kingdom, Oporoza town, under the guise of looking for members of your group, particularly me, who they have wickedly linked to your group, and unleashed mayhem on the innocent people of the community,” Tompolo said in a statement.

“And this happened in my absence as I am currently out of Gbaramatu kingdom, but what I gathered from some of the victims of the army invasion is unspeakable. Even pots of soup where not spared. The army has massively looted resident homes, desecrated traditional places of worship, committed sacrilege and abominations, and has continued to occupy the community until this moment.

“What a sad tale, one thing you should know is that government is not interested in its constitutional duty of protection of lives and the welfare of its citizens, rather it is interested in the continuous flow of crude oil in the region. Therefore, it could do anything to make the oil flow, not minding the security and the welfare of the people,”

Condemning the economic sabotage perpetrated by the group, Tompolo accused the military of abuse of human rights.

He said soldiers had been going after innocent people and making life unbearable for people who have been going about their duties in a lawful manner.

Tompolo also alleged that contractors handling the repair of pipelines had been exploiting the situation for their own interest.

According to him, they sponsor their allies in the communities to continue to destroy pipelines in order to get more repair works.

“Remember, this same army arrested Chevron Nigeria Ltd staff and labeled them as members of the Niger Delta Avengers, few weeks ago, in one of the communities in Gbaramatu kingdom,” he said.

“It took a spirited effort by the community and other well-meaning Nigerians to intervene for the release of those Chevron staff. This shows that the Nigerian government can do anything to our innocent people in the communities in the guise of looking for members of the Avengers.

“One other reason you guys must stop this new campaign of destruction is that the contractors in charge of repair works of attacked pipelines are equally culpable in the act of pipeline vandalism as they now sponsor their allies in the communities to continue to destroy pipelines to get more repair works. “This is the sorry state we have found ourselves in the Niger Delta. To this end, dear Niger Delta Avengers, you must put an end to this economic sabotage and allow the government to look into your demands now.”

The former militant leader insisted that he knew nothing about NDA, saying those who were bent on nailing him as a result of the corruption allegations against him were the ones behind the claim.

”You are aware that some mischievous persons have continued to point fingers at me,” he said.

“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 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. Whichever the case, I still maintain that I know nothing about your group and the destruction of crude oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.

“I have made it clear in many occasions that the issue I am having with the EFFC will not make me to resort to violence and bombing of oil pipelines as my team of lawyers have already challenged the defective process of legal service on me in the Court of Appeal. I am a man of truth and peace, therefore will not be involved in violent activities.”