FG has problem with Tompolo not Ijaw —Ateke Tom

PORT HARCOURT—Ex-Niger Delta agitator, Chief Ateke Tom, has expressed the fear that the Federal Government was playing games to exterminate the leaders of the Niger Delta militancy, who are now beneficiaries of the amnesty programme. He also expressed concern that the Federal Government was making moves to end the amnesty programme, which he said brought lasting peace in the Niger Delta. 


Ateke, in a statement, weekend, at his Okrika home when the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the area organised a solidarity rally on the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State at the Supreme Court, noted that the way the Federal Government was treating ex-militants in the state was an indication that they want to end the amnesty programme. Ateke, who is also the Leader of Niger Delta Vigilante, NDV, pleaded with the Federal Government to halt any plan to scrap the amnesty programme, adding that it would portend danger for youths of the region. 

He said he had no knowledge of the whereabouts of Chief Government Ekpemubolo (Tompolo) who has issues to settle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, noting that he (Ateke) does not have any camp to hide any suspect. He said: “They have burnt houses of many ex-militant leaders and they are planning to raid my house too.”