Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa
A Niger Delta group, the Iduwini Volunteer Force, (IVF) tuesday petitioned the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd), the Joint Task Force in the region headed by Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, and the Office of the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Ibrahim Kpotum, over an alleged plan to breach the peace in the oil-rich region.
Specifically, the group accused Chief Alfred Bubor, Dr. Peter Ogedengbe, among others, of parading themselves as leaders of Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSCON), comprising oil-bearing areas in the Niger Delta.
But in a reaction, Bubor denied knowledge of the group, noting that as far as he was concerned, no such group existed, while Ogedengbe accused the IVF of speaking for its masters, which he said intended to usurp the true leadership of HOSCON.
In the petition signed by “Commander,” Johnson Biboye, the IVF said there was serious threat to the security of lives and property in the region which the persons intended to do by running down some leaders in the Niger Delta which would incense supporters of the affected leaders to react.
“We write to respectfully draw your attention to a serious threat of security in the Niger Delta through the activities of the above named persons and group who have been parading themselves as leaders of oil and gas producing communities in the Niger Delta.
“As a frontline Freedom Fighting Group in the Niger Delta which has been involved in the peace process, we know for a fact that it is only HOSCON that has keyed into the peace process of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in the Niger Delta and in our effort to ensure that peace and tranquility reign supreme in the oil rich region.
“We have sadly discovered that the aforementioned persons under the leadership of one Chief Alfred Macaraba Bubor has directly and indirectly created a lot crisis and mayhem because of their selfish desire to ensure that the Niger Delta Crisis is not resolved amicably.
“We have discovered a well-orchestrated plot by this same group to hold a meeting on September 15, 2016 at No. 11 Uti Street, off PTI Road, Effurun, Delta State,” IVF alleged.
The group added: “From our findings, the said meeting has its agenda, plans to blackmail security forces, HOSCON leadership led by King Alfred Diete-Spiff for daring to advocate for peace in the Niger Delta without their selfish interest.
“The meeting will amongst other things castigate the security handling of the Niger Delta crisis and possibly use the same medium to run down the newly appointed member Board of Trustee of the Ogoni clean up committee who coincidentally is the National Chairman of HOSCON in the person of Prince Mike Emuh.
According to the group, there were also plans to recruit hooligans and miscreants to use the meeting as a launching pad to foment fresh trouble within the Niger Delta region.
“We cannot afford to go through another round of crisis in the Niger
Delta region particularly in Warri, because of the selfish interest of some few individuals.
“We, therefore implore you to use your good office to call the aforementioned persons to order and put a permanent hold on the purported meeting.
A stitch in time saves nine,” it said.
But in his reaction, Bubor said: “I don’t know them. I am not aware of their existence. As I am talking to you now, I have travelled to the village.”
When contacted, Ogedengbe said: “They are the ones who want to usurp the leadership of HOSCON. We already have a petition with the Commissioner of Police in Asaba. The SSS is also handling his case. I am only the state chairman. It’s the national body of HOSCON that is holding a meeting.”
