They said as a group committed to the peace and development in the Niger Delta, “We seldomly comment on such issues which we consider strictly personal business concerns of individuals, but the sustained media campaign and the barrage of attacks against High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) has made it necessary for us with these positions”, the open letter reads.
Browsing: Security
The Commissioner of Police on his part noted that any further escalation of the crisis between both communities will not be treated with levity and whoever is found wanting will be duly prosecuted.
He said that officers of Corps were playing unique roles in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure in the state, saying that he was impressed with the high level of professionalism of officers and men in the command.
The vehicles according to the CDS was donated in the Spirit of inter-agency cooperation and was presented on behalf of the CDS by the 63 Brigade Commander, General Mayeranso David Saraso.
The story of NDDC and the issue of the Niger Delta region when placed side by side is very disturbing to those of us in the Niger Delta Region. Yes, the Willinks Commission in 1956 recommended that a special attention should be given to the Niger Delta Region because of the difficulty in developing the area. After the Willinks Report, there was this Niger Delta Basin Authority, saddled with the responsibility of developing the Region. But were those things achieved? The answer is NO, not until the youths of the Region began to agitate, the elites started to agitate for a better deal to the Niger Delta Region and that prompted the emergence of OMPADEC, from 1.5 to 3% OMPADEC; little was achieved but when we had this democratic dispensation under General Olusegun Obasanjo, he created the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2000, with a statutory board to manage the affairs of the commission
He revealed that in the last traditional rulers council meeting in Asaba, monarchs in the State extensively discussed the level of insecurity in the country and also resolved that in their next meeting, the vexed issue would top their agenda, adding that; “And we pray that President Muhammadu Buhari and all the Service Chiefs will live up to their responsibilities”.
“Just three days ago, I had a meeting with my council of chiefs at the palace and we questioned the suitability of the National Security Adviser and Minister of Defense because the office of the National Security Adviser is to collate all necessary information from the various military establishments, the various security establishments and so if that is being done as expected, then why these frequent attacks, why these unwarranted and unprovoked killings taking place in the Northern region, Kaduna State, Niger State and Zamfara State.
The women in a peaceful protest yesterday, displayed various placards with inscriptions such as, Igbide community condemn ‘Pipeline vandalization/bunkering activities’, ‘Enough is Enough, We cannot continue with this anymore’, ‘Stop the air pollution’, ‘Stop the shooting’, ‘Make the environment safe for all’ amongst others, the women vow to shut down oil exploration at the expiration of the ultimatum issued by the community leadership.
He said; ‘ The Command wishes to state that there is no curfew declared in Okpanam community and as a matter of fact, Okpanam community is calm and two suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident that led to the death of three Policemen in the early hours of Sunday, July 24, 2022 and that the Command is closing up on the other members of the gang.
Oghotomo, who narrated his ordeal to journalists, said the suspected assassins or kidnappers blocked his way along the old Oguname-Ophorigbala-Ovwor Road at about 9:15pm of the said day.
After assessing the security situation and arrangements, he then paid a courtesy visit to HRM Obi Dr. Emmanuel O. Efeizomor II (JP) the OBI of Owa-oyibu and the Dein of Agbor HRM Benjamin Ikenchuku (Keagborekuzi I). During the courtesy, issues bothering on the kidnapping trend within their Kingdoms were discussed and solutions were proffered. HRM Obi Dr. Emmanuel O. Efeizomor noted that the Government and the Police should support and empower the local vigilantes as the Police cannot be everywhere at the same time. He also noted that series of meetings are ongoing with a view to fishing out the moles in the Community that is conspiring with these hoodlums.