Douglas Blessing, Port Harcourt
A group under the aegis of Niger Delta Special Force (NDSF) has called on Eshanekpe Israel, an ex-militant leader to retrieve steps from attack on Asari Dokubo, Niger Delta agitator over his (Dokubo) recent comment linking the military to oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
Israel, also known as Mayor of Urhobo had faulted Dokubo over his recent allegation that the Nigerian military is involved in oil theft in the region. The ex-militant said “Dokubo is suffering from acute jealousy and envy for Tantita Security Services, TSS”, the FG’s contractor currently handling the security of oil facilities in the region.
Reacting to the comment credited to Israel yesterday in Port Harcourt, spokesperson of the Niger Delta group, Boniface Abinye, expressed worries on how the ex-militant defended the military and exonerate them from alleged involvement in oil bunkering activities.
Abinye said, “The attention of the Niger Delta Special Force (NDSF) has been drawn to a publication by one Eshanekpe Israel popularly known as General Israel, where he was quoted to have made unguarded utterances and personal attacks against the person of one of the great leaders of the Niger Delta struggle and founder, Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo.
“Ordinarily, we ought not to waste our time in joining issues with the self acclaimed Mayor of Urhobo land, knowing who is behind or sponsoring the attack; but this has become necessary as such publication is capable of misleading or diverting the attention of the public from the actual realities as regards the issue of oil theft in the Niger Delta.
“For the records, the NDSF completely aligns with the position of Asari Dokubo on the issue oil theft and the military’s involvement in the act.
“However, our worry stems from General Israel’s quick rise in defense of the military to exonerate them from the crime they are being accused of, forgetting the fact that Asari Dokubo who took the bold step to come up with the revelation knows his territory like the palm of his hand.
“Then he mischievously coopted the idea saying Alhaji Dokubo was jealous and envious of Tantita Security Services, TSS, the FG’s contractor handling the security of oil facilities in the Niger Delta.
“There was no where Asari Dokubo during his visit to President Bola Tinubu mention the TSS or Tompolo throughout his conversation when he addressed the media. By this, Israel has deliberately rolled out the drums of war and challenged all former militant leaders in Rivers State to an open contest.”
The NDSF continue that “With the likes of His Majesty, King Ateke Michael Tom, Hon. Doctor Fara Dagogo, Chief Soboma Jackrich also known as Egberipapa, and others, who have maintained a peaceful disposition all along to enable Chief Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo who was fortunate enough to had secured the federal government’s surveillance contract, perform his duties within their territory without fear or intimidation of any sort, has thus been misconstrued for weakness of the leaders”.
He urged the ex-militant to “henceforth thread softly within the territorial waters of Rivers State”.
The group therefore called on President Tinubu to review the current surveillance contract in the Niger Delta, and “carve out the areas of River State and give same to Alhaji Asari Dokubo, His Majesty, King Ateke Michael Tom, Hon Fara Dagogo, Chief Soboma Jackrich – Egberipapa, Oriemi Hart, and others who will be in charge to coordinate the Rivers wing to avert avoidable crises within the region in the nearest future”.
According to Abinye, if the appeal is considered, “will guarantee peace, security and stability of the nation’s economy which is largely dependent on proceeds of oil mining”.
