From Paul Osuyi, Asaba and Femi folarin, Yenagoa
FUGITIVE ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo has passionately appealed to members of the emergent militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to embrace the dialogue option offered by the Federal government.
Tompolo in a statement, noted that dialogue was the only pragmatic means in resolving crisis no matter how huge and complicated it is, and expressed his belief and confidence in the sincerity of the government and its willingness to end the current crisis.
His intervention came on the heels of consistent claims by the NDA that it was responsible for spate of attacks on oil facilities in Niger delta region, a development that has cut the nation’s crude oil production by more than half.
Once again, he took pains to debunk allegations that he has been sponsoring the activities of NDA. Tompolo also absolved his close friends and follow ex-agitators from the activities of the Avengers, explaining that those mentioned as coordinators of the NDA were beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme, who have put their acquired skills into good use.
He said the actions of the NDA have not only succeeded in militarizing the region but also given birth to lots of sycophants and political jobbers posing as negotiators and peace mediators for the government.
His words: “I wish to once again write the members of the NDA to embrace the Federal government dialogue option as a way out of the crisis in the Niger Delta.
“As I have said before now, I do not know you and how to reach you excerpt through the mass media.
Therefore 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 given birth to so many negotiators and political jobbers within the government circle, who are very serious rumour peddlers in the country now.”
He lamented that the people of the militarized Gbaramatu kingdom have not known peace since the renewed hostilities adding that they have been harassed, intimidated, violated and invaded by the 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.
He said further: “Presently all communities in gbaramatu kingdom have been deserted by residents for fear of a repeat of 2009 military invasion, which would 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.