By Emma Amaize

WARRI—Deputy Governor of Delta State, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, yesterday, commiserated with the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area in the state, HRM Naira Ogoba, and Ijaw nation at large on the unfortunate death of Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo, father of ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

He said: “I want Tompolo to be comforted in the lord and also urge him to be firm in his support for the Chief Edwin Clark-led pan-Niger Delta Dialogue Team on President Muhammadu Buhari initiated engagement process, which we believe is beyond rhetoric and will expedite developmental narratives of the region.

“The values of dialogue, peace, security and development are not opposing, but complimentary and our prayers are with President Buhari accordingly,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI and Foundation for Human Rights and Anti Corruption Crusade, FHRACC, in a statement by Austin Ozobo and Alaowei Cleric, said: “We are shocked at the news of the sudden death of Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo. We share the grief of the Ekpemupolo family as this is a colossal loss to the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta.

“Our grief is compounded especially because of the circumstances leading to his untimely death. Papa would not have died now had the marauding Nigerian armed forces not brutalized him like a prisoner of war at his country home, Kurutie on May 28, 2016.”