Military Sacked My Hometown, Destroyed My Shrine, Tompolo Cries Out

Embattled former militant leader, Chief Government
Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) has revealed how the military
sacked his hometown – Gbaramatu Kingdom and took
away the symbol of authority from the Egbesu Shrine
and other valuables in Oporoza community during the
May 28, 2016 invasion.

He also has called on the leaders of the Niger Delta
Avengers (NDA) to call off the group’s campaign and sign
on to federal government’s dialogue option.
Tompolo who is rumoured to have fled to Libya,
expressed the belief that the federal government was
serious about ending the oil-rich region’s intermittent
armed struggling.

Tompolo also reiterated his earlier claim of not being
involved in the formation or operations of the dreaded
militant group, the Avengers, adding that the group’s
activities had only given vent to rumour peddling from
those intent on implicating and profiteering from the
Niger Delta crisis.

He, however, advised those operating the militant group
to call it off, take advantage of government’s call for
dialogue as their activities were rubbing off negatively
on the Niger Delta region and its peoples.
“I wish to once again write the members of the Niger
Delta Avengers to embrace the Federal Government
dialogue option as a way out of the brewing crisis in the
Niger Delta region. As I have said before now, I do not
know you and how to reach you except 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.

“I wish to reiterate that you guys must stop the bombing
and destruction of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region
now and embrace the dialogue option from the Federal
Government as it is (dialogue) the only pragmatic means
in resolving a crisis no matter huge and complicated
such crisis is.

“I believe fervently that the Government is serious and
willing to end this re-occurring crisis in the Niger Delta
region. Enough is enough”, Tompolo said.

He expressed displeasure at the manner in which the
military personnel who carried out the recent operations
in some Gbaramatu communities allegedly violated the
communities, especially his Oporoza home community,
and dislocated the people’s everyday life.

“As for the people of Gbaramatu kingdom, they have not
known peace since you guys started the bombing of oil
facilities as they have been harassed, intimidated,
violated and invaded on daily bases by the Nigerian
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.

“Presently all communities in Gbaramatu kingdom have
been disserted by residents for fear of a repeat of the
2009 military invasion, which still 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.

“It is pertinent to state that I have not heard and seen in
any part of Nigeria, even the most volatile North Eastern
part of Nigeria,where Boko Haram has been killing
innocent people, the way and manner the Military
desecrated the traditional worship centres in Gbaramatu
Kingdom. This is a clear oppression and intimidation of
the peace loving people of Gbaramatu Kingdom”, he said.