Niger Delta militants group in disarray, talk discordant

Former Niger Delta militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, and nine militant groups from the nine states of the region are engaged in a row over the sponsorship and motive behind the renewed threat by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to attack oil facilities in the region.
The coalition of militants groups under the auspices of Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) described as untenable and selfishly motivated the decision by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to pull out of the ceasefire with the federal government and resume fresh attacks in the region tagged ‘Operation Red Economy’.
It alleged that Tompolo and his followers are behind the plot to use NDA to distabilise the region.
But Tompolo ‎who is also the Ibe-ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation denied the allegation, insisting that instead of listening to falsehood, the federal government should focus on trending issues in the polity, particularly restructuring and true federalism, among others.
‎ In a statement issued yesterday by his media consultant, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo noted that nothing will make him resort to destruction of oil facilities he once protected in a contractual arrangement.
The statement made available to Eyes Of Lagos reads: “Ordinarily, we would have ignored these media statements by these so called avengers and reformed avengers because it is not a new tactics by these groups in bringing Tompolo’s name to whatever thing that happens in the Niger Delta region because of his legal battle with the government.
“Let it be stated at this point that Tompolo is not the only person having legal issues with the present government. Let us also state here that these accusations do not take away the fact that our dear country is in a crossroad.
“Eminent Nigerians have repeatedly said in recent time that Nigeria has never been divided like this since her independence in 1960. It is our sincerely advice to the government to urgently address the issues that are trending in the country’s political domain”.
The statement further noted: “The Restructuring/True Federalism, Participation of Niger Deltans in the oil industry, the Ogoni clean-up campaign, relocation of the headquarters of the International Oil Companies, Establishment of Modular Refineries, Resumption of academic activities in the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, and so on, are very germane issues that the government needs to address now, so as to shame mischievous elements in the polity.
“We wish to reiterate our earlier stand that nothing will make Tompolo to resort to destruction of oil facilities, he once protected in a contractual arrangement. Those that have ears let them hear!”
‎In a separate statement it earlier issued after an enlarged meeting in the creek of Bini River in Egbema area of Delta State on Sunday Night, the coalition of militant groups described the NDA threats as “personal and greedy.
The Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) also refuted claims that it is sponsored by the APC administration.
The militant groups said instead, it is involved in the campaign against the use of the contentious issues of the region for selfish gains.