Tomoplo accuses Army of looting, destroying hometown; says he’s not in Gbaramatu

Ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, (Tompolo), on Sunday restated his call on the Niger Delta Avengers, to ceasefire, expressing confidence that President Muhammadu Buhari-led government was ready to hold a dialogue with the group.

Tompolo also reacted to the invasion of his home and Gbaramatu communities by the military in the name of searching for him and members of the NDA.

In a statement, Tompolo noted that he was neither a member nor a sponsor of the group, as some persons believed, stressing that he was only a victim of ethnic politics.

Tompolo begged NDA to “put an end to this act of pipeline vandalism, as it will not do our dear country any good, especially in this critical period of our economic history.

“I still maintain that I know nothing about your group and the destruction of crude oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.

“That notwithstanding, for the love of country and out of patriotism, I wish to appeal to you once again to stop the bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, and embrace the path of dialogue with the Federal Government of Nigeria, as the government is ready to hear you out on whatever issues you wish to discuss with it.

“You guys know that I do not know you and how to reach you, except through the mass media. If truly as you guys claimed that you are fighting for the well-being of the people of the Niger Delta, then you must adhere to this appeal, otherwise, the world will label you as criminals

“Come to think of the consequences of your actions in the region so far, particularly as it affects me and the people of Gbaramatu kingdom. Just yesterday (Saturday), the Nigerian Army invaded the ancestral headquarters of the kingdom, Oporoza town, under the guise of looking for members of your group, particularly me, who they have wickedly linked to your group, and unleashed mayhem on the innocent people of the community,”

“And this happened in my absence as I am currently out of Gbaramatu kingdom, but what I gathered from some of the victims of the Army invasion is unspeakable. Even pots of soup were not spared. The Army has massively looted resident homes, desecrated traditional places of worship, committed sacrilege, abominations and what have you.”