Ex-militant leader reveals where Tompolo is, challenges Avengers

– Israel Akpodoro, a former militant leader said Tompolo is still in the country, contrary to report that he fled to Libya

– Challenging the Niger Delta Avengers on their threat to kill him, he said they can’t hold him to ransom

– Chief Ayiri Emami said dialogue with the militants will  not work

Israel Akpodoro, the national president of the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, has said former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo, is still in the country.

This is contrary to claims by the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF), that Tompolo has fled the country to Libya.

The Urhobo-born ex-war lord, said it was a deliberate falsehood meant to mislead the Nigerian people and distract law enforcement agencies, Vanguard reports.

READ ALSO: Why PMB should not dialogue with avengers – Ex-militant leader

He said: “Such deliberate falsehood is meant to mislead the Nigerian people and for the law enforcement agencies to divert attention from the Gbaramatu-born militant.

“Tompolo is still in the country. This kind of falsehood was circulated when the former President Olusegun Obasanjo led government declared him wanted whereas Tompolo was in Agbarho all through that time while a section of the Nigerian media was used to spread falsehood on his whereabouts.”

Some days ago, the Niger Delta Avengers had threatened to kill him.

Reacting to the threats, Akpodoro said no group could hold him to ransom.

Meanwhile, Chief T.KO Okorotie, the ex-chief whip in the Rivers state House of Assembly and chairman of Bayelsa Development Forum, said dialogue with the militants is a welcome development.

Chief Ayiri Emami, the former chairman of Delta Waterways and Security Committee, Warri, said dialogue would not work.

According to him, criminality should be separated from agitation for resource control.

READ ALSO: NNPC announces N20b loss to attacks by Niger Delta Avengers

“Dialogue will not work because the issue of criminality has not been separated, which is why they are emboldened to act the way they are acting. “Criminals must be treated like criminals, I hear the position of governors of the South-South, excluding Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State is that corruption charges be dropped across the region, particularly those on EFCC wanted list, if that is the case, how will the criminality stop.?”

For months, the Niger Delta Avengers has taken it upon themselves to start a war against all oil and gas companies in the region. They have blown several oil installations and are threatening to blow up more if the federal government fails to grant their demands.

The federal government has indicated its readiness to suspend military operations in the offensive against Niger Delta militants and dialogue with them.

The militants have however, said they aren’t interested in talks would carry out more attacks on oil installations.

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