TOMPOLO’S KINSMEN TO BUHARI: Again, we are under military siege, save us

Chiefs of Gbaramatu Kingdom, the home of the former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to come to their aide over an alleged military siege.

The chiefs said villages under Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, have been besieged again by Nigerian Military both on water and air.

Fearing that they may yet be attacked again as was the case in 2009, 2016 and 2018, when the military allegedly invaded the communities, the chiefs prayed Buhari’s government to take an urgent action on the matter.

Their fear was expressed in a statement signed by the spokesman of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godspower Gbenekama on Friday.

“The Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs has noticed the renewed siege, harassment and intimidation of communities and people of Gbaramatu Kingdom by the Nigerian Military through water and air.

“It could be recalled that Gbaramatu kingdom which is along the Escravos River in Warri South West LGA of Delta received similar action from the Nigerian Military in 2016 to 2018.

“Since then the people have been living in fear of possible military invasion like the one of May 2009, when the military overrun a number of communities in Gbaramatu kingdom claiming hundreds of lives and the destruction of property worth billions of Nigeria.

“Our fear is that the military is trying to repeat same act to the peace loving people of Gbaramatu kingdom if urgent steps are not taken by the Federal Government to call the military to order.”

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On what Buhari should do to help them, the chiefs said he should without delay probe the activities of the military in the oil region.

“There is an urgent need for Mr. President to investigate the activities of the military in the Niger Delta region as the military is not within the confines of the rules of engagement and this may lead to breakdown of law and order in the region as it is happening in Gbaramatu kingdom” the statement said.

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