Emma Amaize
9 November 2009
Warri — REPENTANT militant leader, Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, weekend, warned his followers numbering up to 10,000 to turn away from kidnapping, bombing of oil installations, oil theft, armed robbery and other criminal activities for their own safety.
He also debunked a media report that he, Tompolo, and other ex-militant leaders had suspended talks with the Federal Government, saying, "I can tell you that there is no truth in the claim. Tompolo is still discussing with the Federal Government.
He has not pulled out. If we pull out, it will be announced publicly, it will not be a hidden thing, and there is no cause for that at the moment. He is not considering it, he only said they were tired of meetings".
A top Presidency official contacted on the report also said; "Look, the government has no time for frivolous reports, who told you the ex-militants have suspended talks with the government. Did Tompolo, Ateke Tom or Boyloaf tell you that?
I think people should help this process. We are calling them to camp from the 11th of this month. Please, let's join hands for the post-amnesty programme to succeed", he added.
Tompolo who addressed his men on the outcome of the meeting between ex-militant leaders and the Presidential Committee on Amnesty told them that anyone who engaged in criminal activities would be tracked down sooner or later by the law. He warned that any of them who disobeyed his warning should not call him to render any assistance because he would not be available.
He spoke to them at Okerenkoko, a creek community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The former militant leader told them that government's call-up programme for ex-militants would begin from November 11 and that the two camps in Delta State, one at Agbarho, will accommodate 3,000 persons.
He said that having accepted amnesty and surrendered arms, the freedom fighters should be calm and give the Federal Government time to execute its programmes for the region, saying that it may take a little time to actualise the objectives.
Meanwhile, freedom fighters in the region are expected to meet in Warri tomorrow to review their deliberations so far with the Federal Government on the post-amnesty programmes and agree on the way forward.
The meeting to be hosted by Tompolo will most likely examine the problems the freedom fighters are facing in terms of accommodation, payment of allowances and the camping proper, which commences on Wednesday so as to enable the leaders inform government appropriately.
Our source said the meeting would hold at a popular hotel in Effurun, near Warri, Delta State. It is not known whether the government will pick the bill but, Tompolo, before now, had been hosting single-handed, the meetings of the Ijaw Youth Leadership Forum, IYLF at Oporoza, Delta State.
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