IYC lashes Arewa group over attack on Tompolo, demands public apology

By Enekorogha Godbless,
Godfrey Anita
& Teide Emomotimi

The Ijaw Youths Council, IYC Western zone, has lampooned the Arewa Youths Assembly over what they described as a mischievous attack on High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo for asking the NNPC and President Buhari not consider Tompolo for pipeline Surveillance contract in Niger Delta.

The Ijaw group in a statement titled:”IYC SLAMS AREWA YOUTH OVER ATTACK ON TOMPOLO, DESCRIBES STATEMENT AS DISRESPECTFUL, RECKLESS; URGES PRESIDENCY TO AWARD OIL PIPELINE SURVEILLANCE TO TOMPOLO”, said the attack on Tompolo by Arewa Youths Assembly was reckless, irresponsible, childish and shameful.

However, the Ijaw youths issued seven days ultimatum to Arewa Youths Assembly to render unreserved apology to High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

The statement which was signed by Dr Doubra Collins Okotete, Chairman IYC western zone and Comr. Omaghomi Olu-Derimon Secretary, noted:”Coming up with unfounded and awful allegations is one thing and having the charisma to defend them is totally a different ball game.

The Ijaw Youths Council said the group was being sponsored by mischievous elements who are enemies of Niger Delta region, adding that the statement was unguided and divisive.

While lashing out venom, IYC maintained: “Arewa youth assembly shot itself on the foot knowing well that, there will be a thousand responses and reactions against their unguided and divisive statement over a man who has constantly keep the peace of Niger Delta and Nigeria by extension”.

They further stated: “If the Arewa Youth Assembly is responsible enough, protection of pipeline security would not be part of their statement, considering the level of insecurity ravaging the North with no solution in sight and with the recent incident that occured on the 28th of March 2022 were terrorist freely unchallenged bombed the Kaduna Abuja train, killing several promising Nigerians and kidnapping more than a hundred passengers on the train and within same period the kaduna international airport was attacked and under siege, these are just a few of the several insecurity challenges bedeviling the Northern part of the country and the Arewa Youths Assembly with a notorious propensity for violence are yet to condemn these horrible happenings in the North but quick to speak on oil matters that they don’t have a knowledge of how it produces. “We nor blame una”.

According to the Ijaw youths: “They should know that CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME.
While innocent citizens are still in the custody of the bandits that attacked the train with such like scenario spread across the Northern part of the country , a mannerless and a juvenile body such as Arewa youth assembly will shamefully berate Tompolo who have constantly sacrificed alot in maintaining the relative peace across the Niger Delta region with unbroken track records.

“We can recall that just recently a notorious kidnapper, MK was on rampage in the creeks of Delta state creating uneasy calm. he allegedly killed some military men cart away with their ammunition, but behold, it was still the same Tompolo who came to the rescue, captured MK and his men and handed them over to security agents. This is just a sample of so many rescue operations he has embarked on without public attention, we make bold to say that if a figure like Tompolo was in the Northern part of Nigeria, peace would have returned by now”.

“It’s on record that despite the pipeline security awarded to some firms, oil theft and pipeline vandalisation is on the rise and it’s a noticable fact by NNPC and the Federal government that Tompolo is the ONLY man that can come to the rescue before our economy nose dive to a level that will take us back to the woods. He has shown capacity over time and and Niger Deltans are proud and happy with his leadership charisma, knowing well that oil is the mainstay of the countries economy that the NNPC limited under the leadership of Mallam Mpele Koko Kyari and the FG should ignore the callous statement coming from over pampered group since the Niger Delta is ready to cooperate with Tompolo to secure our national assets for the overall good of our country”.

“Tompolo is first a Niger Deltan, a bridge builder, and a man who has sacrificed so much in ensuring peace in the region and the Nigerian state at large. Tompolo is the main reason for the stability in the oil and gas industry.

“On a final Note, the Arewa Youth should be cautioned, and we make bold to state that the Ijaw Youth Council Western Zone will not tolerate any group or persons trying to malign or embarrass our revered Ijaw leaders unprovoked.
Therefore, we demand an unreserved apology from the so called Arewa youth assembly to our distinguished leader High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo aKa Tompolo withing seven days”.