The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MEND

  • MEND: Avengers plan to derail Buhari govt

    MEND: Avengers plan to derail Buhari govt

    •Seeks cancelation of Amnesty Programme

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has described the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), as a tool designed to destabilise the Muhammadu Buhari  administration.

    The MEND also dissociated the Niger Delta region from the secessionist call by the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), saying it believed in a unified and truly federated Nigerian state.

    The group, in a statement circulated by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, restated is opposition to the continued running of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), noting that it was a signature of the corruption of the past administration, which has no intention or capacity to bring a sustainable answer to the recurring Niger Delta question.

    MEND, which hinged its support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration on the need to allow it time stabilise the nation, which it said had suffered continued abuse for years, however said the president should see to the freeing of its incarcerated leader, Henry Okah and his brother, Charles Okah.

    According to the group, this is key to a genuine dialogue that would bring peace to the Niger Delta.

    The MEND statement said: “After a rigorous and robust analysis, debate and review of political events in Nigeria within the past 12 months; particularly as they affect the Niger Delta region, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has resolved to continue to respect the unilateral ceasefire of hostilities declared May 30, 2014 against key economic interests of the Nigerian State.

    “The painful but necessary resolution to respect the ceasefire was borne out of MEND’s belief that as President Muhammadu Buhari marks his first year in office, he deserves more time to stabilize the country that was ran aground by the ill-fated, corrupt and visionless immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan which pauperized the Nigerian people to the alarming degree we all experience today.

    “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wishes to condemn and dissociate itself from the recent activities carried out by a group known as the “Niger Delta Avengers”. Their sudden emergence has absolutely nothing to do with the Niger Delta struggle but rather a tool by certain elements to destabilise the current government. Going by their actions and subsequent statements, it has become very apparent on who the sponsors of these group are.

    “MEND serves notice to the International Community that the Niger Delta region shall NOT be part of a secessionist Biafran State. Rather, the group believes in one strong united Nigerian federation where the principles and ideals of Resource Control; True Federalism; Rule of Law/Respect for Human Rights; Democracy; Free Enterprise and a Vibrant Civil Society are well entrenched in the grundnorm and put to practice.

    “However, The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) remains vehemently opposed to the fraudulent and unsustainable Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) headed by Brigadier General Paul Boroh (rtd) which still runs on the corrupt bureaucratic and operational template of the past administration. We have always made it very clear that unless the root issues which gave birth to the agitations in the Niger Delta region are addressed, in the form of a sincere dialogue, this programme will only continue to remain a mere cesspool of corruption.

  • I will not wage war against FG – Tompolo 

    I will not wage war against FG – Tompolo 

    * Says he’ll appear in court when he’s ready

    Under fire former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), seems to have backtracked in his face-off with the law, as he has now indicated his preparedness to appear before the court to answer to multibillion naira corruption fraud accusation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He said “I will appear in court at the appropriate time.”

    Tompolo, in a statement early Thursday morning, disclosed that his legal team is finalising moves towards his day in court.
    A statement by Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo’s media aide, denied his involvement in the January 15 bombing of oil facilities in Warri.

    He also denied reports credited to his erstwhile colleague and comrade in arms, Mr Africanus Ukpasia that he (Tompolo) is amassing tools to go to war with the Federal Government, stressing that he remained bounded by the terms of his 2009 amnesty deal.

    Ukpasia, who has since fallen out with the former MEND leader, also alleged that Tompolo masterminded the wanton destruction of gas and crude pipelines in Warri area of Delta state.

    Bebenimibo, however, maintained: “Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) has consistently maintained that he has no hand in the recent bombing of oil pipelines in the creeks of Delta State.

    “Let it be known to Nigerians and the entire World that, Tompolo will never wage a war against the Federal Government, as he has sworn in 2009 when he accepted the Presidential amnesty declared by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

    “He has kept faith with Nigeria. He has promised to work with the present administration unconditionally, and he stands by that declaration.

    “He was seriously troubled by the recent pipeline bombing incident, because he has provided security for these pipelines even when the government refused to pay him. And so, he could not have been the one to damage same pipelines.”

    Speaking on allegation that he is acquiring speed boats for war, he said “it is the biggest lie of the year, as the military is also aware of the boats and pick-up vans he purchased in 2011 for the surveillance of oil facilities as he was working hand in hand with the military then.

    “Tompolo is a man of peace and he is poised for the development of the coastal Niger Delta region. He prays that this matter be amicably resolved so that everyone will know that he always put his people above his person gains.”

    He recalled that before the bombing incident, he alerted the public that some aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Bayelsa and Delta States want to destroy National assets, especially oil pipelines in the Delta Niger as a result of the outcome of the 2015 governorship election of Bayelsa State, where the APC lost the election.

    He said the masterminds who carried out the acts are the ones pointing accusing fingers at him to further worsen his case with the APC-led Federal Government.

    “And true to his fears, these set of APC chieftains that joined the party immediately after the presidential election of 2015, were the first people to accuse him of bombing the pipelines to divert public attention.

    “These new APC members who the former chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, described as parasites, also threatened to cause problem in the Niger Delta region if the pipeline surveillance contract in Delta State already awarded to Messers Ocean Marine Solution is not re-awarded to them.

    “This is a clear testimony of their involvement in the bombing of the pipelines. Since then, we all have seen their role in misleading the military and the general public.

    “Now, it could be recalled that this same Africanus Ukparasia threatened Tompolo not to show interest in the elections, as he was a strong supporter of the APC candidate. He killed and maimed fellow Ijaw people because of a governorship election, and now he is the one accusing Tompolo of bombing pipelines.”

  • I know nothing about NIMASA N4bn – Tompolo

    I know nothing about NIMASA N4bn – Tompolo

    Former MEND leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo has denied involvement in the alleged N34 billion NIMASA fraud.

    The denial was contained in an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, which Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) personally signed on Sunday.

    He said, “The truth of the matter is that I do not know anything about the 34 billion naira EFCC is talking about. First, it was 13 billion naira (N13bn) issue, now it is 34 billion naira (N34bn).

    “I am not a signatory to any of the companies mentioned in the said N34bn case, so I do not know where this one is coming from.”

  • Tompolo: Armed youths blow-up pipeline, oil facilities in Delta

    Tompolo: Armed youths blow-up pipeline, oil facilities in Delta

    Palpable tension gripped Gbaramatu kingdom and other parts of Warri, Delta State and the Niger Delta region on Friday morning after suspected militants blew up strategic pipelines in Warri South West local government area of Delta state.

    Multiple explosions also rocked several oil installations between Ikpokpo and Odidi flow stations, mostly in Gbaramatu kingdom, barely hours after a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered security operatives to arrest Chief Government Ekpemupolo.

    Ekpemupolo, who goes by the alia of Tompolo, is one of the founders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). He hails from Kurutie community in Gbaramatu.

    It was gathered that the attacks started shortly before midnight and lasted till the early hours of Friday.

    At the time of this report on Friday afternoon, the Nation learnt that residents of the riverside communities are fleeing in anticipation of another bloody operation by the militants and soldiers of the Joint Task Force.

  • ‘Jonathan, MEND, others to attend Dickson’s final rally’

    ‘Jonathan, MEND, others to attend Dickson’s final rally’

    The leadership and members of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) will on Saturday attend the final rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Governor Seriake Dickson.

    A statement yesterday by the Restoration Campaign Organisation (RCO) said the MEND leadership would attend the campaign to educate the people on a peaceful election.

    RCO, in the statement by its Director of Publicity, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, said ex-President Goodluck Jonathan would also attend the rally.

    Others expected are members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), the party’s present and past governors, PDP senators, members of the House of Representatives, members of the House of Assembly (past and present), PDP leaders and members in Bayelsa State.

    The party’s stakeholders and members at home and in the diaspora, 500 non-government organisations supporting Dickson’s re-election and people from diverse and strategic institutions will be at the event.

    Obuebite said the grand finale would witness the presentation of the PDP flag to Dickson and his running mate by the party’s national leadership.

    He said: “Bayelsa State is the Jerusalem of the Ijaw. The mother of all rallies on Saturday will showcase the unity of purpose of the Ijaw coming together as one and affirming the interests and aspirations of the Ijaw race.

    “The leadership and members of MEND will attend as a pressure group to campaign for a free and fair election on December 5.

    “The mega rally is the climax of Governor Dickson’s community-to-community tours (grassroots campaigns), which took him to the nooks and crannies of the state in the last one month, spreading his message of restoration and consolidation of peace, security and development.”

     

  • MEND, Jonathan, others to attend Dickson’s rally

    MEND, Jonathan, others to attend Dickson’s rally

    Leadership and members of the Niger Delta militant group, Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) will on November 28 attend the final rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the December 5 governorship election, Governor Seriake Dickson.

    A statement signed on Tuesday by the Restoration Campaign Organisation (RCO) said the leadership of MEND will attend the campaign’s grand finale to sensitise people on the need for a peaceful poll in the state.

    RCO in the statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, said the former President Goodluck Jonathan would also be present at the rally.

    Others that will grace the occasion are members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), all the party’s sitting and past governors, PD P senators and members of the House of Assembly, past and present, Bayelsa PDP leaders and members across the state.

    Also party stakeholders and supporters, at home and in the diaspora, the 500 non-governmental organisations routing for Dickson’s re-election and people from diverse and strategic institutions will be on ground to rally support for the governor.

    Obuebite said the grand finale which would also witness the presentation of PDP flag to Dickson and his running mate by the national leadership of the party would shut down the state capital.

    He said: “Bayelsa State is the Jerusalem of all Ijaws and the mother of all rallies will showcase the unity of purpose of the Ijaw people coming together as one and affirming the collective interest and aspirations of the Ijaw race.

    “The leadership and members of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) would attend as a pressure group to mount campaign for a free and fair election at the December 5 governorship election.

    “The mega rally is a culmination of Governor Seriake Dickson’s community-to-community tours, a grassroots campaign which had taken him to the nooks and crannies of the state in the last one month, spreading his message of restoration and consolidation of peace, security and development through his re-election.”

  • We didn’t endorse Dickson – MEND

    The Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) on Tuesday denied reports that it endorsed the re-election bid of Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    MEND in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, dissociated itself from a statement endorsing Dickson’s ambition, credited to one Prince Amaibi Horby, who claimed to be its acting chairman.

    The militant group said it was not in support of re-election of Dickson, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election.

    It said Dickson in his desperation to be re-elected paid a group of thugs to use its name to endorse him.

    The statement said: “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wishes to dissociate itself from an imposter and self-acclaimed “Acting Chairman” of MEND, going by the name of ‘Prince Amaibi Horby (aka General Busta Rhymes)’ who claims to be speaking for MEND by endorsing Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, for the December 05, 2015 governorship elections.

    “This so-called support and endorsement was circulated in some sections of the media on Monday, 23 November 2015.

    “MEND wishes to state categorically, that we do not endorse or support Governor Seriake Dickson in a way, shape or form and strongly urges the media to disregard any such statements to the contrary, as it did not emanate from MEND.

    “As far as we know, Governor Seriake Dickson, in his desperation to be re-elected as Governor of Bayelsa State, has paid a group of thugs to use our group’s name to endorse his ambition.”

  • Tompolo’s meeting: Police take over venue

    Tompolo’s meeting: Police take over venue

    A team of armed and riot policemen, on Saturday took over Izon Wari (Ijaw House), venue of the proposed controversial meeting of former commanders of the Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    The meeting which generated security concerns in the region and attracted condemnations from stakeholders was called by former militant commander, Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo.

    The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, advised the ex-militants to shelve the gathering and meet with him later on a separate day.

    Notable ex-militant commanders such as Victor Ebikabowei Ben fondly called Tompolo, Africanus Ukparasia famously called ‘General’Africa and others also condemned the proposed meeting and asked their supporters to stay away from the gathering.

    Africa specifically said: “We will not allow any individual to disrupt the peace and progress in the Niger Delta region in the name of ex-agitator. We warn against such attempts because we will resist and seriously deal with it”.

    Investigations revealed that the police deployed a detachment of armed security operatives within and around the Ijaw House, a building dedicated for activities aimed at promoting the Ijaw nation.

    A truckload of mobile policemen supported by five patrol vans of fully armed operatives were sent to the area.

    It was also observed that strategic junctions leading to the Sanni Abacha Expressway where the Ijaw House is located were manned by security men.

    As at 11am, the security operatives were seen monitoring the activities of motorists and commuters plying the area.

    But when The Nation returned to the area at 2pm, the the scheduled for the meeting to kick-off, there was no sign that the gathering would hold.

    The motive behind the deployment of policemen was unknown.

  • Tompolo allays fears on MEND meeting

    Tompolo allays fears on MEND meeting

    … No evil plan intended – Ex-militant leader

    Leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), has allayed fears that Saturday’s meeting of the militant group in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, is  meant to restart war in the region.

    He said contrary to the perception in some quarters, the meeting was aimed at deepening the prevailing peace in the area.

    It would be recalled that the meeting called by Tompolo had led to fear of possible resurgence of militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

    However, Tompolo, in a statement he personally signed on Friday, described the concern as diversionary, particularly against the backdrop of insinuations that the meeting has to do with the termination of his and other former militants’ lucrative pipeline surveillance contacts.

    He said, “The tension generated by the meeting is uncalled for, diversionary and mischievous as no evil is intended in whatever form.”

    While assuring of his commitment to continue peace and security in the region, he said, “Calling off today’s meeting can also be an option if need be, in order to strengthen our belief in a peaceful Niger Delta.

    “I am compelled to clarify issues as they relate to the meeting of the leadership of ex-agitators under the platform of MEND and other organisations summoned at my instance.

    “The nation would recall that in the build up to the Amnesty offer of the late president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, there was hesitance on the part of most of Niger Delta agitators until God in His infinite mercy, granted me wisdom to provide leadership.

    “The nation will also recall that under the Amnesty programme as inherited by the immediate past president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, relative peace was enjoyed even as security of lives and property was enhanced to an appreciable level.

    “Also, oil production increased from 700,000 barrels per day to 2.5million barrels per day. Put simply, hitherto aggrieved Niger-Delta youths who inadvertently became agitators, upon the acceptance of the Amnesty offer, refrained from armed agitation to face normal urban life,” he added.

    Tompolo said contrary to fears being expressed in some quarters, the meeting was called to douse tension generated by delay in the payment of the monthly stipend to former militants and their foot soldiers by the Federal Government.

    “While some of us understand to an extent, the apparent delay in the continued payment of the monthly stipend to the ex-agitators in view of the seeming scrutiny of government agencies, including the Amnesty Office by the current administration, same cannot be said of the majority of beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme.

    “To this extent, some of us, particularly myself and other leaders have been under intense pressure from ex-agitators commanders, individuals, parents and guardians as well as communities who are beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme.

    “While a few see the delay in the payment of their monthly stipends in the light of the need for the current government to settle in properly, others see the delay as a template to stop the programme. The expulsion of some students (home and overseas) by their schools and training institutions particularly has heightened these fears.

    “Hence, I thought it wise that a meeting of the collegiate leadership of the platform under which we operated as agitators could be convened to appraise the situation and possibly, explore means to douse the tension that is growing among the disarmed youths whose stipends (training allowances and tuition fees) have been delayed for months.

    “This becomes more compelling in view of the fact that as leaders of the platform that served as midwife to the Amnesty offer, we owe the nation a duty to play our roles in order to stem a relapse of the relative peace in the Niger Delta Region,” he stated.

     

  • Tension in Niger Delta as Tompolo resuscitates MEND

    Tension in Niger Delta as Tompolo resuscitates MEND

    There was concern in military circles in the Niger Delta region on Thursday following the planned meeting of leaders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

    The meeting, slated for Izon House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, is being convened by MEND leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo.

    A terse invitation, a copy of which was made available to our reporter, reads: “My dearly beloved Commanders and Leaders of various wings of the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), I greet you all.

    “It is my pleasure to humbly invite you to a very crucial and urgent meeting as follows:

    Venue: Izon House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    “Date (of the meeting is) Saturday, July 25th, 2015. Time (is) 2pm Prompt,” concluded the letter, which was signed with Tompolo signing off with his traditional title – Izon Ibe-Ebidouwei of Izon nation.

    Contacted, Tompolo said the meeting was to deliberate on recent developments in Nigeria as well as the fate of the Niger Delta region in the current political dispensation.

    Speaking through his media aide, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, who did not divulge further detail about the meeting, said the MEND leaders would chart a path for the progress of the region.

    However, The Nation gathered that the planned meeting is a source of concern for top military commanders in the region.

    Tompolo, a known supporter of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was the founder of the deadly group that crippled oil production in the region from 2005.

    The Nation gathered that he was placed under security watch following the defeat of Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election.

    The former militant leader had maintained a low profile since after the election and subsequent inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29.

     

    Also on Tompolo:

    Jonathan okays oil jobs for Tompolo, others

    FG terminates Jonathan’s N21billion contract to Tompolo

    Tompolo, Asari only reacted to North’s threat, says Oritsejafor

    Tompolo: I insist Nigeria’ll break if Jonathan loses