Says ‘military yet to return my symbol of authority, looted items’

By Emma Amaize

WARRI—FORMER militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, complained to President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, that the military had not returned his symbol of authority as the chief priest of Egbesu Shrine, Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State, removed from the traditional temple about a month ago.

Tompolo in an open letter to the President said that the incident occurred about 31 days ago when soldiers invaded Oporoza in his absence in search of him on allegation that he was behind the bombing of oil facilities in the region.

Besides the abomination, he said the soldiers also placed the traditional ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom under house arrest for one week.

He said: “As I said in my previous publications, the military made away with the symbol of authority of the Gbaramatu people from the Egbesu Shrine, which I am the Chief Priest. They also made away with other valuables worth several millions of naira from the community.

Arrest of 10 young men

Tompolo and Buhari

“The most annoying part is the purported arrest of 10 young promising men, most of whom are orphans, who are secondary school students sitting for the West African Senior Secondary School Examinations, WASSCE and other palace staff who were labelled members of Niger Delta Avengers.

“As I write you now, these innocent young promising men are still with your military for no reason. This is truly man’s inhumanity to man in our own country. We are presently being treated like conquered people because of crude oil.

“Please kindly direct your army to return the looted items, including the symbol of authority and also release these innocent young men to continue their academic programme, even though they have missed the WASSCE for this year.

“Mr President, remember, no condition is permanent. I have kept faith in this country. I have contributed in no small measure to the development of this country. It is my prayer that God Almighty should preserve me to meet you again to tell you my side of the numerous stories you have been inundated with about me.

“This was how they arrested Chevron Nigeria Limited Staff on routine duty in Kokodiagbene community of Gbaramatu Kingdom, and labelled them members of Niger Delta Avengers. It took spirited effort by leaders of the kingdom and other well-meaning Nigerians to convince the military, that the arrested men were not involved in pipeline destruction.

“Mr President sir, please permit me to quickly recall a similar incident that occurred in May, 2009, when this same military invaded several communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, under the command of late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Traditional worship centres were desecrated, property were looted and above all, the multi-billion naira ultra-modern magnificent palace of the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom was burned down, and his golden crown was stolen by the military.

Court and compensation

“As peace loving people, the kingdom approached the courts and demanded compensation for the unlawful invasion and destruction of property, in which the court awarded N99 billion in favour of Gbaramatu Kingdom. After seven years of that sad incident, the Federal Government is yet to pay the compensation.

“This incident also led to the declaration of the Presidential Amnesty programme for peace to reign, as the government found out that military action was not the best way to address the Niger Delta question and the rest became history in the lives of those who led that invasion. I believe Mr President should learn a lesson from the 2009 military invasion and do the needful.”