Security Concerns Heightened in Bayelsa as MEND Planned Meeting Fails to Hold
Security
Concerns Heightened in Bayelsa as MEND Planned Meeting Fails to Hold
Security
was heightened in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, on Saturday, as the
Nigerian security services took over strategic locations in the town following
the insistence by ex-militants commanders to hold a meeting of the Movement for
the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in the city.
The security operatives particularly barricaded the Ijaw House venue announced by the leader of MEND, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, even though the state government who are owners of the facility had refused the former warlords the use of the premises.
It was gathered that Tompolo who insisted that the meeting will hold despite opposite had barricaded himself in his house in Warri since last Friday even as security operatives waited to pick him up if he as much as stepped out of his home.
Although no reason was given by Tompolo why the meeting failed to hold on Saturday, sources revealed that most militant groups in the Niger Delta do not see Tompolo as their leader as his call was not only selfish, but it was seen as strictly an Ijaw affair; hence the refusal to attend.
Tompolo had earlier denied that the meeting convened by him and other ex-militant generals under the aegis of the dreaded MEND was to reactivate militancy in the region and frustrate the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Despite this assurance, the move has continued to create tension in the state as all security operatives were placed on high alert in case the meeting holds.
But in a move to douse the palpable tension created by the announcement of the meeting in the state, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson called for the postponement of the proposed meeting of the leaders of ex-agitators.
Tompolo in a statement has expressed displeasure that his call was being seen in another light from what is intended.
The high chief lamented that the tension generated by the summons is misplaced, uncalled for and mischievous as “he is not out to confront the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on any issues.
“I consider it unfortunate that a section of the Nigerian nation and the Media have chosen to mischievously thread the path of misinforming the public and right thinking persons by linking the meeting to whatever decision the current government at the centre may have taken in relation to the stoppage of the pipeline surveillance contract, even though payment have not been made for the services rendered in the renewed contract, or termination of appointments. This is highly provocative and despicable.
“Hence, we shall ensure our genuine intentions are reflected in our attitude towards peace, security and development of the Region. Calling off today’s meeting can also be an option if need be, in order to strengthen our belief in a peaceful Niger Delta," his statement noted
As at the time of this report, Yenagoa was still under security clampdown even though other ex-militants warlords resident in the state have dissociated themselves from the move by Tompolo.
The security operatives particularly barricaded the Ijaw House venue announced by the leader of MEND, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, even though the state government who are owners of the facility had refused the former warlords the use of the premises.
It was gathered that Tompolo who insisted that the meeting will hold despite opposite had barricaded himself in his house in Warri since last Friday even as security operatives waited to pick him up if he as much as stepped out of his home.
Although no reason was given by Tompolo why the meeting failed to hold on Saturday, sources revealed that most militant groups in the Niger Delta do not see Tompolo as their leader as his call was not only selfish, but it was seen as strictly an Ijaw affair; hence the refusal to attend.
Tompolo had earlier denied that the meeting convened by him and other ex-militant generals under the aegis of the dreaded MEND was to reactivate militancy in the region and frustrate the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Despite this assurance, the move has continued to create tension in the state as all security operatives were placed on high alert in case the meeting holds.
But in a move to douse the palpable tension created by the announcement of the meeting in the state, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson called for the postponement of the proposed meeting of the leaders of ex-agitators.
Tompolo in a statement has expressed displeasure that his call was being seen in another light from what is intended.
The high chief lamented that the tension generated by the summons is misplaced, uncalled for and mischievous as “he is not out to confront the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari on any issues.
“I consider it unfortunate that a section of the Nigerian nation and the Media have chosen to mischievously thread the path of misinforming the public and right thinking persons by linking the meeting to whatever decision the current government at the centre may have taken in relation to the stoppage of the pipeline surveillance contract, even though payment have not been made for the services rendered in the renewed contract, or termination of appointments. This is highly provocative and despicable.
“Hence, we shall ensure our genuine intentions are reflected in our attitude towards peace, security and development of the Region. Calling off today’s meeting can also be an option if need be, in order to strengthen our belief in a peaceful Niger Delta," his statement noted
As at the time of this report, Yenagoa was still under security clampdown even though other ex-militants warlords resident in the state have dissociated themselves from the move by Tompolo.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has cried foul over the invasion of Ijaw House, Yenagoa, which was advised as the venue of a meeting of the resurrecting MEND group.
The youth group lamented that it was sacrilegious of security operatives to have entered the building, which is the administrative headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and the Bayelsa State Ministry of Ijaw National Affairs and Culture.
The IYC in a statement signed by the publicity secretary of the IYC, Comrade Eric Omare, insisted that the action is a reminder and a move back to the “dark days of dictatorship” in the country.
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