•Urges President Buhari to constitute a dialogue team
•Praises Governor Okowa and his deputy in facilitating the release of the 10 youths
The acting secretary and mobilizer of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Godspower Gbenekama have pleaded with the federal government to release other Niger Deltans that are in its custody.
Gbenekama in a statement sent to newsmen in Warri on behalf of the Gbaramatu traditional Council also calls on the President to order the military to return other artifacts carted away by soldiers during the military invasion of the Kingdom on May 28th this year.
Chief Godspower beckoned on President Mohammadu Buhari to constitute a federal government dialogue team to discuss the way forward in ending the menace of militancy that have engulfed the region in recent times.
Expressing worries over the heavy military presence in the region, he begs the federal government to withdraw its combatant troops from the creeks of the Niger Delta while noting that it has brought untold suffering to its inhabitants.
The Gbaramatu traditional Council thanked the heroic role played by the Delta State Governor, His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his amiable deputy governor, Barr. (Deacon) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro for their efforts that facilitate the release of the 10 youths from Gbaramatu Kingdom.
They also appreciated the efforts of several other sociocultural groups in the Niger Delta for gallantly voicing and calling for the immediate release of the youths.
“We want to use this medium to thank all those who in one way or the other have contributed to the release of the Gbaramatu 10 students arrested during the military invasion 0f Gbaramatu Kingdom. The traditional ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom ,HRM.Oboro Gbarun 2nd,Aketekpe,The Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom,the Gbaramatu Traditional Council,and all the sons and daughters of Gbaramatu Kingdom are indeed very grateful to you all.
“We want to particularly thank our amiable Governor,Sen.Okowa for the role he and his cabinet played in the release of those boys. Worthy of comendation are the various groups and individuals who were involved in advocating for their release and those who spoke out against their illegal arrest and the military invasion which includes but not limited to The traditional rulers of the Niger Delta,The ch.Dr.Asuni intiated group of tradional rulers and leaders led by HRM.Diete Spiff.(group”A”) and group “B”led by T.K.Agoriba,The IYC(Ijaw youth council),IPDI,The E k Clark led pan Niger Delta group and other Niger Delta leaders,Youths and women groups and all sons and daughters of the Niger Delta and those of Gbaramatu Kingdom for their peaceful disposition throughout this our trying period and to the media which made it posible for the world to hear our voice, God bless you all
“To the Federal government, please reduce the military presence in our communities because it is an ill wind that blows both the inhabitants of the Niger Delta and the Federal Republic no good .The military should please return all those artifacts that they took including the boats of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council and any other thing that was illegally taken from our communities”.The military should also release unconditionally any other person under their custody that they illegally and mistakenly arrested in the pretext of looking for militants as recent events have shown and also stop further arrest of innocent citizens.
“Finally,we pray that the Federal government would key into the initiative of the Niger Delta people and constitute a team to discuss the issues that are causing disaffection and dissatisfaction in the Niger Delta so that we can have a lasting peace in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole .The federal government can not be seen to be speak from the two sides of their mouth. Once again thank you all and God bless you.” It stated
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