Pipeline Surveillance: Ozobo appeals to ex-militant leaders in Rivers not to incite youths against Tompolo

•Asks militant threatening fire to calm down as Tompolo would consider them

Following a purported masked-up militants threat over the oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo in a viral video, the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI has fingered some highly placed ex-militant leaders (names withheld) in Rivers state to be behind the threat, appealing that they should sheath their swords and work in synergy with Tompolo.

IPDI disclosed this to Congress newspaper exclusive in a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Ozobo Austin on Thursday.

The group asserted: “We are aware of the ex-militant leaders in Rivers state that are behind the surfacing masked up militants parading with weapons to issue unfounded threats against Tompolo. We appeal with them, let them sheath sword.

“When this surveillance contract was awarded to late Captain Hosa and Northern hegemonies, it was Tompolo who pressed on for it until its celebration now.

“Nobody issued any threat to them and Nigerian military that are destroying the artisan refineries and even peaceful communities because of bunkers’ activities”

The statement reads: “We fighting ourselves will reveal to the entire world that we are not united. This has shown the poor unity and understanding that we have as a people. We need not prefer a stranger to come and handle this surveillance contract on our land. What a pity!”

The group maintained that the militants parading with arms were being brainwashed by some suspected selfish ex-militant leaders in Rivers State to be doing what they are doing.

He queried: “Today we are agitating against the Oporoza man for handling the project. Are they going to be happy seeing Oporoza man agitating against Kalabari man or Rivers man tomorrow for being awarded such contract or appointment as amnesty coordinator or minister of Niger Delta Affairs?

“Those issuing threat should keep their threats to themselves or better still for marauding Taliban from Northern Nigeria, terrorising their communities. They should know that Tompolo is not ready to war with anybody. Despite all these threats, he still see them as his brothers and ready to make peace with everyone.

“Tompolo I know is not out to fight his brothers, or kill anybody as that is not part of his character. So those threats are not significant.

“It should be noted that Tompolo will not send people from Oporoza to go and do the surveillance job in their communities in Rivers state. He has designed a system where every community will be in charge of the surveillance job in their territory. Tompolo will give the work to them to handle. They should be patient. I see them being brainwashed. I see their threats to be done out of ignorance. Let them wear their thinking cap, especially at these perilous times of the Ijaw nation.

“Ex-militant leaders in Rivers state who are putting up an unnecessary fight against the innocent man should desist because the drum of war favours no one.

“Why should some selfish and greedy people plan evil against the innocent man? This is a man that has been inviting people all over the Niger Delta region for consultative meetings just a day after when the contract was awarded to him. He provides transport and free feedings to ex-agitators and stakeholders of every community he invites within the scope of the contract to dialogue on how we can understand ourselves to work together. For all inclusiveness, he invited stakeholders to dialogue. It is just because of the love and passion he has for his people. A sign that he is not out to fight anybody. What he is doing can’t be done by those people fighting him if they are considered for the job today. He has spent millions of Naira just for transportation and feeding of stakeholders. Instead of us saying “thank you” to him we are fighting him. It is sad!

“I am disappointed that this time when we are talking about a united front against our common enemies, some are promoting division among us as Ijaw people,” Ozobo lamented.