By Francis Sadhere

The people of Oporoza in Gbaramtu kingdom in Warri South West Local Government area of Delta State, said yesterday that there was no meeting between the Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung with members of the Niger Delta Avengers in their community.

They wondered how the Minister could have held a meeting with the militant group without the knowledge of elders  and leaders of the community where the ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias “Tompolo” hails from.

According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the community,Mr Johnbull Demebi, they stated emphatically that the Minister nor any other top government official visited last weekend.

“Our attention has been drawn to a statement by the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sport as contained in the Monday edition of Daily Trust newspaper, that he paid a visit to the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom, Oporoza town to have interactive session with members of the Niger Delta Avengers and community people.

“It is pertinent to state that, to the best of our knowledge, we the leadership of the community did not receive the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sport, or any other government official in Oporoza town last week”, it added.

The community disclaimed the presence of members of the deadly militant group in their community and condemned the activities of the hoodlums in the destruction of oil facilities.

“We have stated in many fora and occasions that we do not know anything about the Niger Delta Avengers. Oporoza town or any other community in Gbaramatu kingdom has nothing to do with the Avengers and their activities.

“We have in time past condemned the activities of the Avengers, therefore could not have anything to do with them in our community”, it stated.

The community recalled that, as a very receptive people, it had received several top government functionaries in Oporoza adding ” For the avoidance of doubt, the last government visitor to Oporoza community was the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Abrahim Idris, and he was given an arousing welcome by the community, led by the chairman, Mr Johnbull Demebi.

“And so, we doubt the claim of the Hon. Minister, that he visited Oporoza community last week and had a meeting with members of Niger Delta Avengers and other community people”, it added.