Nigeria: Activist Accuses Tompolo of Threat Texts Napoleon Ehiremen 25 March 2010
Source: AllAfrica
Warri — A Niger Delta activist, Chief Michael Johnny has cried out over threats to his life, calling on security agents to beef up security around him.
Speaking to newsmen at the weekend in Warri, Delta State, Chief Johnny alleged that two attempts had been made on his life in the last few days, saying he is now living in constant fear even though he was not afraid to die for the truth and pointed accusing fingers at Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a. Tompolo over his travails.
But an aide of Tompolo (names withheld) whom he specifically accused of sending him threat text messages dismissed the allegation, as "baseless, senseless, provocative and unfounded."
He claimed that on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at about 9.30 p.m, three Hilux vans and a Prado Jeep loaded with men wearing army uniforms stormed his house, adding that he beat them to their own game as he escaped.
Chief Johnny also alleged that at about 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, the men turned up again in a similar manner in his compound, but this time, he said, he was not at home.
The former member of the Delta State Waterways Security Committee (DWSC) claimed that: "For sometime now, I have been receiving numerous phone calls and text messages from aides of chief government Ekpemupolo a.k.a. Tompolo threatening to kill me. They want me dead because I am on the side of the truth. The threats to my life are real".
While saying that he was not afraid to die for the truth, he said he was not prepared to betray his people for any amount.
"Since on March 16, 2010, it became very clear that those sending threat messages to me really want to eliminate me at all cost for standing for the truth".
"This is Save our Soul (SOS) message that I am sending tour security operatives for them to beef up security around me because I have been under serious threats from those who claimed that they are just waiting for final orders from their master, Tompolo to eliminate me.
"They hate to hear the truth, but I will continue to tell Tompolo that he has turned the Niger Delta Struggle into a family business," Chief Johnny stated.
But when contacted on telephone yesterday, an aide (name withheld) to Tompolo dismissed the claim of Chief Michael Johnny, saying he should not be taken seriously.
He said; "We do not want to join issues with Michael Johnny, by joining issues with him, we are only trying to make him relevant. But I must tell you that we do not know what he is talking about, his allegation is baseless, senseless, provocative and unfounded."
Meanwhile, Chief Michael Johnny has condemned the bomb blast in Warri on March 15, 2010.
He said: "The news of the explosions at the Government House Annex, Warri came to me as a rude shock; those behind the explosions should know that the era of violence in the Niger Delta struggle is over. The Post-Amnesty Dialogue was meant to help the suffering people of the region; it is very bad that it was disrupted".
"Without peace, we cannot have meaningful development in the long neglected Niger Delta region.
"The bomb blast on Monday is unfortunate and those who carried it out should apologize to Niger Deltans and the Federal Government.
"They should embrace the amnesty totally and be patient with the Federal Government, especially now that we have one of our own as the Acting President, who is committed to the development of the region and its people.
"The Federal Government is sincere with the amnesty programme, but there are some people working against its success, but I think every right-thinking Niger Deltan should support the Federal Government for the amnesty deal to be successful and all Nigerians should rise and condemn the bomb blasts in Warri on Monday", he stated.
Warri — A Niger Delta activist, Chief Michael Johnny has cried out over threats to his life, calling on security agents to beef up security around him.
Speaking to newsmen at the weekend in Warri, Delta State, Chief Johnny alleged that two attempts had been made on his life in the last few days, saying he is now living in constant fear even though he was not afraid to die for the truth and pointed accusing fingers at Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a. Tompolo over his travails.
But an aide of Tompolo (names withheld) whom he specifically accused of sending him threat text messages dismissed the allegation, as "baseless, senseless, provocative and unfounded."
He claimed that on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at about 9.30 p.m, three Hilux vans and a Prado Jeep loaded with men wearing army uniforms stormed his house, adding that he beat them to their own game as he escaped.
Chief Johnny also alleged that at about 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, the men turned up again in a similar manner in his compound, but this time, he said, he was not at home.
The former member of the Delta State Waterways Security Committee (DWSC) claimed that: "For sometime now, I have been receiving numerous phone calls and text messages from aides of chief government Ekpemupolo a.k.a. Tompolo threatening to kill me. They want me dead because I am on the side of the truth. The threats to my life are real".
While saying that he was not afraid to die for the truth, he said he was not prepared to betray his people for any amount.
"Since on March 16, 2010, it became very clear that those sending threat messages to me really want to eliminate me at all cost for standing for the truth".
"This is Save our Soul (SOS) message that I am sending tour security operatives for them to beef up security around me because I have been under serious threats from those who claimed that they are just waiting for final orders from their master, Tompolo to eliminate me.
"They hate to hear the truth, but I will continue to tell Tompolo that he has turned the Niger Delta Struggle into a family business," Chief Johnny stated.
But when contacted on telephone yesterday, an aide (name withheld) to Tompolo dismissed the claim of Chief Michael Johnny, saying he should not be taken seriously.
He said; "We do not want to join issues with Michael Johnny, by joining issues with him, we are only trying to make him relevant. But I must tell you that we do not know what he is talking about, his allegation is baseless, senseless, provocative and unfounded."
Meanwhile, Chief Michael Johnny has condemned the bomb blast in Warri on March 15, 2010.
He said: "The news of the explosions at the Government House Annex, Warri came to me as a rude shock; those behind the explosions should know that the era of violence in the Niger Delta struggle is over. The Post-Amnesty Dialogue was meant to help the suffering people of the region; it is very bad that it was disrupted".
"Without peace, we cannot have meaningful development in the long neglected Niger Delta region.
"The bomb blast on Monday is unfortunate and those who carried it out should apologize to Niger Deltans and the Federal Government.
"They should embrace the amnesty totally and be patient with the Federal Government, especially now that we have one of our own as the Acting President, who is committed to the development of the region and its people.
"The Federal Government is sincere with the amnesty programme, but there are some people working against its success, but I think every right-thinking Niger Deltan should support the Federal Government for the amnesty deal to be successful and all Nigerians should rise and condemn the bomb blasts in Warri on Monday", he stated.
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