Militant group, Niger Delta Avengers warn Tompolo to apologise or face consequence

A new new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, which claimed responsibility for the recent Forcados 48-inch Export Pipeline explosion and Wednesday’s blowing up of the Chevron Valve Platform in Abiteye, both in Delta State, has threatened to bomb all oil installations in the Gbaramatu hometown of former General Officer Commanding, GOC, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo.

The NDA said it will fulfill its threat any time soon, if Tompolo does not apologise within three days, for asking the affected serving oil companies to go about their normal operations, particularly the repair of the Forcados 48-inch pipeline which is very key to the nation’s economic stability.

A statement by NDA’s  spokesperson, Col. Madoch Agbinibo, published on its website, titled: “RE: I AM NOT PART OF THE NIGER DELTA AVENGERS GROUP – HIGH CHIEF GOVERNMENT EKPEMUPOLO,” read: “It has been brought to our notice of the press release by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) in page 30 of the Vanguard Newspaper of Tuesday 3rd March 2016, where he wrote “it is imperative to state unequivocally that I do not have link with this new militant group…” he went ahead to “appeal to the serving companies to go about their normal operations, particularly the repair of the Forcados 48-inch pipeline which is very key to the economic stability of our country”.

“With due respect Sir (Tompolo). We the Niger Delta Avengers respect you and all former agitators from the region. We admire your love for the region and all you have done.

“The Niger Delta Avengers made it clear that we are not part of the Presidential Amnesty programme because the programme is not genuine. We the Niger Delta Avengers have only decided to pick the struggle up from where you and the former Niger Delta agitators left off; it is only the actors that are new. You are not one of us and you need not border yourself to try to convince anyone.

“As a result, if you can’t join us (Niger Delta Avenger) PLEASE take your hands off our activities because it’s a slap on our face for you to give a nod for repair works to continue on the 48-inch pipeline at Forcados despite a stern warning by us for no one to go near the blast site.

“Come to think of it, when the Maritime University in Okerenkoko was awarded and approved by the immediate past president only for Buhari led Government to cancel it. When he did so, did any of the Northern Elite such as Emirs, former Northern Vice Presidents, and former Northern Presidents say a word or question their fellow northerner for doing such an unspeakable harm to the Niger Deltans? So how can Chief Government Ekpemupolo undermine the Niger Delta Avengers and ask work to go on on the 48-inch pipeline at Forcados.

“We hereby give you a three-day ultimatum to apologize to Niger Delta Avengers in the same national dailies as anything other than that will mean that, we shall bring the war to your doorstep by blowing up all oil installations within your backyard (Gbaramatu Kingdom). Since you have taken side with the Federal government to fight the Niger Delta people.

“We are however advising you to stir clear of our battle with the federal government; it is better you stay mute over our activities if you can’t support us. Please take your eyes off our activities,” the new militant group warned.