Tension looms in Niger Delta over alleged plots by military to invades Gbaramatu kingdom

There is palpable fear in Niger Delta following the deployment of military gunboats to Oporoza, with possible plans to strike the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom and its surrounding communities in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta.

The spokesman of the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Godpower Gbenekama had in a statement on Sunday, alleged that unless urgent steps are taken, the Nigerian military may launch unprovoked attack on Gbaramatu kingdom.

He frown at the deployment and stationing of military gunboat at Oporoza which he alleged is causing unnecessary panic and fear among the peace loving Gbaramatu people who have been coexisting peacefully with their neighbours.

Chief Gbenekama disclosed that apart from military gun boats positioned at Oporoza, there are military helicopter hovering the area, adding that the military are planning to attack Gbaramatu kingdom again as they have done before bombarding the area.

Gbenekama appealed to the governor of Delta State who is the chief security officer of the state to intervene and call the military to order to put on hold their actions against Gbaramatu people.

He stated further that they are living peacefully with their neighbours, no pipeline vandalism in the area and that the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oboro 11 has been receiving and giving his royal prayers to politicians coming to campaign in his domain irrespective of political parties and tribe but wondered why the military have decided to create tension in that part of Niger Delta.

The Gbaramatu spokesman said as they approach the February 16 and March 2, 2019 general elections, the military should not cause mayhem to people of Gbaramatu as they have chose to negotiate their demands with federal government peacefully, despite the poor development of the area and poor funding of the Nigeria Maritime University, NMU which is entering its second academic session at its temporary site at Kurutie, Gbaramatu.

According to him, “It would be recalled that in 2016 and 2017 the military carried out same act of bombarding and killing several Gbaramatu indigenes. Gbaramatu people have nothing to contend with the federal government or the military, they should go to North East where Boko Haram is killing, kidnapping and maiming people every day to stop the carnage and not come oppress and intimidate our peaceful populace.”

He stressed that Gbaramatu people are peaceful, law abiding and accommodative people and will continue to be so.

ADVOCATE couldn’t independently confirm why military gunboats were stationed in the areas; however, it may not be unconnected with the alleged threat issued by some militants in the Niger Delta giving the federal government an ultimatum.