Ex-militant leader condemns attacks on oil facilities

The Mayor of Urhoboland and notable ex-militant leader, Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro has condemned the reported threats and damages done on pipelines in Urhobo and Isoko lands recently, saying, such actions should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly Niger Deltans.

He said destroying national patrimonies in the region shouldn’t be the best way to call for the attention of the Federal Government, arguing that aggrieved members of the public should rather than resort to violence open correspondence with the government through trusted channels of communication.

Niger Delta according to him needs peace and development and not violent confrontation with the government.

A group, Delta Strike Force, (DSF, had reportedly claimed responsibility for damages done to a portion of Kokori pipelines at Erhaike and another one in Ozoro both in Ethiope East and Isoko North Local Government Areas of Delta State respectively hinging their reasons on a pipeline surveillance contract of OML 30 and 34 awarded to a serving Senator.

The militia group was alleged to have given the FG conditions for the resolution of the violence attacks to include: that the contract be withdrawn from the contractor handling the surveillance and awarded to their leaders; that the East-West Road should be fixed for the regional commuters; that gas flaring in the state be stopped immediately.

Other conditions for Peace according to the group include the activation of the Delta Steal Company, DSC and same be brought into the mainstream production sector of the Nigeria economy; the immediate engagement of all youths who were involved in the war against the Niger Delta Avengers, (NDA).

Akpodoro argued that in as much as the group have good case, violence is not a solution but peaceful approach in a healthy engagement with the authority.

However, he blamed the government for what he described as its poor reward system and lackadaisical approach to resolution of grievances by the citizens.

He said government ignored calls from notable quarters to patronise those who stuck out their necks to fight the Avengers adding that, during the arm conflict in 2016 led by the Avengers he was promised by the government through security chiefs that his boys will be settled after their success in the creeks against the Avengers.

He said after the Avengers were defeated the  government never fulfilled its promises.

He maintained that the contract awarded ordinarily should have been given to the ex-militants, noting that the former warlords in the troubled areas should have been given “the right of first refusal” rather than awarding it to politically exposed persons. “As a noble personality and peace builder in the region, I had called on authorities as soon as the contract was awarded  intimating them of possible reactions but those in government rebuffed my calls.

“It is imperative to tell the world now that I will never intervene in the ongoing crisis due to the poor attitude of this government at rewarding loyalty. The Buhari administration has no respect for the people and it should go ahead and negotiate with them for the peace of Niger Delta. Residents are at the receiving end of the actions of the government and the militia and we shouted that the people should be considered in the actions of the government, they didn’t listen. Those in authority should be held responsible if this violent confrontation persists,”  he said.