The Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change, NDIMRC, has condemned the siege on Oporoza, home town of ex-militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, also known as ‘Tompolo’ by military men less than twenty four hours after the National Universities Commission, NUC, approved the take off of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Gbaramatu kingdom.
The group specifically fumed over the alleged take over of Oporoza, headquarters of Gbararmatu kingdom and Azama by military personnel.
Nelly Emma, president of the group, described the take over of Gbararmatu kingdom by military operatives as uncalled for and unacceptable to the people of the Niger Delta region.
According to the group: “On Saturday, February 3, 2018, we got distressed calls from Gbararmatu kingdom that military men took over the area for no clear reason. The military men took over Azama and Oporoza and harassed the hell out of the people for no reason.
“There was no sign of crisis in the area. Azama is at peace, the whole of Gbararmatu kingdom is at peace and so we do not see any reason why the military men should create a war like situation in the area. We see the action of the military men as a ploy to delay the take off of the Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko.
“It was only on Friday, February 2, 2018, a team from the National Universities Commission, NUC, came and carried out inspection of the site of the Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko and gave the university a clean bill of health, only for the military men to come into the area on Saturday and started harassing and intimidating the people,” the group said.
While urging the chief of army staff to call his men to order, the group said: “The military should leave the peace loving people of Gbararmatu kingdom alone. The military should not join forces with those doing everything possible to see that the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko does not see the light of day.
“We are suspecting seriously that the enemies of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko are behind the action of the military men in the area on Saturday. The NUC has approved takeoff of academic activities at Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko.
“Let those still kicking against the university know that NUC has given the institution the go-ahead to commence graduate degree programmes, and also to admit JAMB candidates. We implore the military to vacate Gbararmatu kingdom and stop creating war like situation in the area.”
