Tension Mounts in Tompolo’s Community over JTF invasion, arrests of two
Francis Sadhere
Soldiers attached to the Joint Military Task Force, code name Operation Delta Safe have on Saturday invaded the community of embattled former Movement For Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Government Ekpemupolo. alias Tompolo and whisked away two persons.
Reasons for the invasion of the community and subsequent arrest of the two persons from the community, is yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.
But sources from the community say it might not be unconnected with the recent attacks on the Trans-Forcados Export line at Bata community barely 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari met with leaders of the Niger Delta to ensure peace in the region.
A source from the area who confirmed the invasion said that one community leader, Moses Bebenimibo who was on his way to Oporoza and one Kpaghan Marvellous, a student of Gbaraun Grammar school Oporoza were arrested by the soldiers to an unknown destination.
The development, according to the source, has heighten tension in the area as residents decried military aggression on the locals.
The Acting Secretary General of Gbaramatu Traditional Council, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, when contacted, said that he was at the palace of His Royal Majesty,The Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom to brief him of the Abuja meeting when residents raised the alarm that soldiers had invaded the communities.
Gbenekama said that he was in the Palace of the community to brief the grassroots on the outcome of the meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari after returning from Bayelsa State on a consultancy, when residents ran to the palace to inform them about a military invasion which was going on in Okpele ama/Tebujor communities in the Kingdom.
The Ibe-Benemowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, while appealing to the Delta state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to come to the aid of the communities so as to stop the incessant arrest, intimidation and brutality of the residents, also called for calm in face of provocation.
“We are also using this medium to tell our President to call the military to order. We cannot at this time when we are looking for solutions to the problems of the Niger Delta be shopping for crisis.
