•Seize his boats, arrest many
Nigerian troops invaded Oporoza, the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South
West Council, Delta State in the early hours of yesterday in a renewed
effort to arrest wanted ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo,
also known as Tompolo.
Sources informed The AUTHORITY on Sunday that the troops arrived the
community at about 2am, went immediately to the residence of the former
militant kingpin and surrounded his home, possibly hoping to arrest him.
The ‘Oporoza Guest House’ which many people consider to be Tompolo’s
home, appears to be the major target, with a security detail declaring
that troops were close to apprehending the ex-militant leader, whom he
said they had monitored for months.
It was gathered that the military landed the community’s jetty in a
commando style with over five gunboats, harassing residents, some of who
were already asleep.
The troops were also out to apprehend some members of the Niger Delta
Avengers (NDA), a new militant group alleged to have been using Oporoza
as their safe haven.
Tompolo, who is being accused of sponsoring the new militant group, has
consistently denied his involvement in the group’s activities,
especially the destruction oil facilities.
The ex-militant chief has gone underground since he was declared wanted
by a Federal High Court in Lagos to answer fraud and money laundering
charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC).
An octogenarian and head of Oporoza community, Chief Aititi Mala –
alias Burn – was said to have been severely injured when he tried to
stop the military operatives from checking his house.
Prominent Ijaw leader and spokesman for the community, Chief Godspower
Gbenekama, confirmed the invasion, saying there were reports of sporadic
shootings while several people were injured by the military.
A senior military officer, who also confirmed the presence of security
operatives in the community, disclosed that Tompolo was recently sighted
in the community.
•Scores of youths arrested, monarch, residents panic
Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), the umbrella body of Ijaw
youths, Mr Eric Omare, equally confirmed to The AUTHORITY on Sunday the
presence of military personnel in the Ijaw community, saying that youths
have been arrested. Omare, who spoke with our correspondent phone,
maintained that although the number of youths arrested by the military
could not yet be, several youths have not been seen since the invasion.
He reasoned that invading the kingdom would not help the situation but
would rather fuel resurgence of militancy in the region.
Another source from the community, Mr Raph, also spoke in similar vein,
saying that he was hiding inside a house roof while making the call to
our correspondent.
Raph, who wailed profusely from his hideout, appealed to the Federal
Government to leave Gbaramatu kingdom, stressing that his people do not
harbor members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). Sources disclosed that
many residents have been fleeing the community as tension gripped the
area, following the heavy military presence while the palace of the Pere
of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRH Oboro Gbaruan II, was also being surrounded
by the soldiers.
•FG waging war against Ijaws, community laments
One of the prominent youth mobilizers in the community, Gbenea
Gbenekama, while giving details of what transpired recounted that “at
about 1:30am on Saturday morning, military troops with several gunboats
invaded Oporoza, our traditional home community.
“They have arrested several youths. At 8am, they were still shooting in
the community. Our people are under siege. We don’t have members of the
Niger Delta Avengers in our communities.
We are not militants. “They have seized two boats belonging to the
Gbaramatu Council of Chiefs. That’s what they are now using to move
their personnel to different locations.”
He added that, “while we condemn NDA’s attacks, there are issues in the
region begging for discussion. Force can’t solve what we have on
ground.
It’s dialogue that can resolve it. If by chance, Tompolo is eliminated (God forbid), millions of Tompolos will spring up”.
Attempts to speak with military sources, including spokesperson of
military Joint Task Force (JTF), Col. Isa Ado, on the incident proved
abortive.
As at the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Navy and the JTF remained mum over the incident.
No comments:
Post a Comment