By Our Correspondent
Embattled ex militant leader in Niger Delta Region, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, (Tompolo) has accused the Nigerian Army of killing his 84 years old father, Chief Thomas Ekpemukpolo unjustly.
In an exclusive interview via electronic mail, Tompolo blamed the Nigerian Army for sending his octogenarian father to early grave, claiming that his father was manhandled by some security personnel.
He said that; ” It happened in the early hours of Saturday May 28, 2016 when the Nigerian Army under the guise of looking for members of the Niger Delta Avengers and of course my humble self, who they have accused of being behind the activities of the group without any evidence, invaded Kurutie town, where my father, Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo was staying. They ransacked the whole building and brutalized him. He sustained an injury in one of his legs. We took him to Warri for medical attention after one week of the incident due to difficulty in movement from the village to Warri because of the activities of the Army, and he was admitted at Lily Clinic, where thorough medical tests were conducted on him. The doctors later advised that his lower limb should be amputated because complication has set in as a result of the injury. We agreed to this and that was done.
However, he later died in the clinic after two months”.
The ex-militant leader lamented that; “It is a painful development as my father was unjustly killed by the Army. I had debunked the accusation that I was behind the Niger Delta Avengers at many occasions, therefore the action of the Army was unwarranted. I did not do any wrong by selling my property to the Federal Government through due process, something that was approved by the Federal Executive Council”.
According to him;”I am just a victim of circumstances. I am just a perceived enemy of the government. The intention of the government was to arrest former president Goodluck Jonathan. But they feel that arresting Jonathan without arresting me may be difficult, that was the reason why they are after me.
While saying he may not be around for the burial of his father, Tompolo said that; “Other members of the family will plan the burial arrangement. However the issue will be taken to the appropriate quarters to seek redress on the gruesome murder of my father”.
“It is unfortunate that I am not around to continue to give helping hand to my people as result of my persecution by this government. Before this time, I was doing what the government and multi-national oil companies could not do for the people in the areas of education and health care. My foundation was providing a quality health care for the people in Okerenkoko, where about 90 communities were accessing free health care in surgical operations of any dimension. For about three years while we operated the clinic, about 500 births were recorded. But due to my persecution by this administration, we shut down the medical facility. Even at that, we are still doing something in the area of education. We just awarded scholarships to seven first class graduates from the Benson Idahosa University, Benin, to do their masters in any country of their choice. I do all these to promote peace and usher in development to the coastal areas, but the government and some wicked and selfish individuals do not want that to happen”, Tompolo said.
Responding to a question, the ex-warlord said that; “Why not? That is where I come from, and the whole of my life I have stayed there. This is just a temporary setback as I prefer to stay in the creek than any other place. That was why I led the struggle for a better living condition for the
people so that in the shortest possible time, the creek is urbanized so that the people will live like their counterparts in the urban areas”.
“I was the first person to sue the government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) because my company’s account was restricted unjustly, but till now, the court has been playing funny, as the court has been playing funny, as the court has refused to hear the matter, instead, it has been adjourning the case at every sitting. I pray that the Nigerian Judiciary should be independent, otherwise, it is difficult for a perceived enemy of the government to get justice and judgement.”
“The amnesty programme has been politicized. The programme was to create the enabling environment for the desired development of the Niger Delta region. It was to be a means to an end, and not an end on its own. The government should hand over the programme to stakeholders to drive, it is only then that the programme can achieve its desired goals.”
“I do not know about that, and it is not my problem. Maybe they feel that if I am around, it will be easier to build the peace process because so many of the boys have respect for me,”he said.
But efforts to get the reaction of the JTF to the allegation by Tompolo were not successful.
