A new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers has told Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, that his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari disowning the group and assuring the federal government of safety on the proposed repair works in the region would not stop it from blowing gas pipelines.
Tompolo had earlier in the week, in an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari personally signed and titled “I AM NOT PART OF THE NIGER DELTA AVENGERS GROUP,” alleged that the oil pipeline repair servicing companies were behind sabotage of the facilities.
Tompolo also urged the oil servicing company who awarded the contract to repair the damaged Forcados 48-inch pipeline to go about its job without fear.
Niger Delta Avengers, however, dismissed Tompolo’s assurance to the government, warning him to stay out of their way.
In a letter sent to media houses, the group addressing Tompolo noted: “With due respect Sir, we the Niger Delta Avengers respect you and all former agitators from the region.
“We admire your love for the region and all you have done. The Niger Delta Avengers made it clear that we are not part of the Presidential Amnesty program because the program is not genuine.
“We the Niger Delta Avengers have only decided to pick the struggle up from where you and the former Niger Delta agitators left off; it is only the actors that are new. You are not one of us and you need not border yourself to try to convince anyone.
“As a result, if you can’t join us, PLEASE take your hands off our activities because it’s a slap on our face for you to give a nod for repair works to continue on the 48-inch pipeline at Forcados despite a stern warning by us for no one to go near the blast site.
“We hereby give you a three-day ultimatum to apologize to the Niger Delta Avengers in the same national dailies, as anything other than that will mean that we shall bring the war to your doorstep by blowing up all oil installations within your backyard, Gbaramatu Kingdom, since you have taken sides with the federal government to fight the Niger Delta people.”
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