Former Delta Waterways Security Chairman, Ayiri Emami, appears to believe that a man running from the law is responsible for the bombing of oil installations by Niger Delta Avengers.

While he didn’t name the man, one name comes to mind – Government Ekpelumo a.k.a Tompolo.

Tompolo, a ‘former’ militant leader, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in a bid to prosecute him on corruption and fraud charges.

Since a bench warrant for his arrest was issued, he has been on the run.

“I believe that no matter the names they come up with everyday, the bombing of pipelines is the handiwork of one man who is running away from justice in connection with the fraudulent acquisition of land for the NMU projects, as well as contracts controversially awarded by NIMASA running into billions of naira”, Ayiri said.

“No one should be fooled by making it look like a witch-hunt. The first person so far convicted under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration by a competent Court of law is Barr. Temisan Omatseye, an Itsekiri man from the prominent Olu Akengbuwa descendants. He was an APC Senatorial aspirant in the 2015 polls and stalwart of the party, yet no Itsekiri group has taken laws into its hands in the guise of violent agitation.”

“The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT trial of Nigeria’s Senate President and scion of the Saraki dynasty in Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki is another major test case of our current democratic resolve, yet Kwara people have not taken to lawlessness or violence.”

“Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori is in a London Prison as a result of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s pursuit with the backing of Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, yet the Urhobo Nation did not embark on any form of violent activities against the Nigerian State.”

“I am also not forgetting the on-going Dasuki legal battle, which people of Northern Nigeria have given a chance to take its rightful course, it therefore beats my imagination why the efforts by a single man to evade justice and orchestrate economic sabotage against the country at this precarious state of our economy, is being viewed with ethnic coloration capable of snowballing into another round of ethnic strife in the Niger Delta if not immediately nipped in the bud.”

“I am deeply concerned because the manner of attacks which has resulted in unwarranted heavy military and now civilian casualties is dangerous to our peaceful co-existence and destroys the Niger Delta ecosystem. People should commend President Muhammadu Buhari administration for kick-starting the Ogoni land clean-up which successive administrations, including that of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan could not achieve.”

Mazi Emeka