Ex-militant leader Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo),has appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) militant group to halt attacks on oil installations in order to avert disaster in the region.
He said in a statement: “If truly as you (NDA) 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,” he added.
Tompolo, who is accused of masterminding the attacks in exchange for a soft-landing in his corruption trial by the EFCC, for the umpteenth time, denied the allegation and expressed confidence on the ability of his legal team to argue his case.
He warned the militants on the consequences of attacks on key oil and gas assets, stressing that the Federal Government was willing to crush any obstacle to unhindered flow of oil in the region.
The former MEND leader’s warning is the heels of threat by the militant group to carry out an attack that will “shake the whole world.”
He said, “One thing you (NDA) 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 continues 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.
“Come to think of the consequences of your actions in the region so far, particularly as it affects me and the people of Gbaramatu kingdom. Just yesterday, 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.
“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 residents’ homes, desecrated traditional places of worship, committed sacrileges, abominations and what have you. The army has continued to occupy the community till this moment.
“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 allays 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. I believe a word is enough for the wise,” he added.
Speaking on his corruption trial by the EFCC, Tompolo reiterated his pledge not to resort to violence and and bombing of oil pipelines, stressing that his “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.
“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, as the government is ready to hear you out on whatever issues you wish to discuss with it.”
