Gunmen clad in military attire stormed the residence of High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, the Rivers State governorship candidate for the National Rescue Movement in the 2023 general election, in Usokun, Degema Local Government Area. During the raid in the early hours of Monday morning, two of Jackrich’s loyalists were fatally shot, and Jackrich himself was abducted.
Widely known as ‘Egberipapa,’ Jackrich is a former militant leader who embraced amnesty during the administration of late President Umar Yar’Adua.
In a statement released by Amb. Kelly Rufus on behalf of the Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF), Jackrich’s arrest was confirmed, and a fervent appeal for his immediate release was made.
The statement called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun to intervene promptly.
The statement reads: “We the members of the Niger Delta Libration Force- NDLF Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area of Rivers State, Call on the attention of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the federal republic of Nigeria and as well as Governors and leaders of the Niger Delta region, alias South-South mostly, the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS to lend their voices on the demand for the immediate and unconditional release of High-Chief (Hon.) Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich EGBERIPAPA, a renowned Niger Delta right activist, Philanthropist and National leader of the Niger Delta Libration Force -(NDLF) whose Usokun home in Degema local government area of Rivers State was attacked, invaded and placed on siege by some unidentified uniform men in the Nigeria Army Camouflage in an odd hour, (3:30am.) earlier this morning. Monday 8th of April, 2024. According reports from one of his aide, Mr. George Azua who confirmed that two of his loyalist were killed in the raid, while ‘High-Chief Egberipapa’ was taken away together with the two lifeless bodies who was killed on the spot in his house as well as his domestic staff’s and security details attached to him to an unknown location.
We therefore, Call on the attention of the Nigeria Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to immediately interven by ensuring the safety of a pide Rivers State asset in the name of, High-Chief Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich EGBERIPAPA.
Going forward, we want to bring to fore, the attention of Mr. President that the peace so far enjoyed in Rivers State and across the entire Niger Delta region over the years, was immensely impacted by High-Chief Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich ‘EGBERIPAPA’ who has been a foremost philanthropist in the region, and a barer of the peace process that has enveloped the entire Niger Delta region. Hence, we succinctly call on Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to wade into the abduction of ‘EGBERIPAPA’ by men of the Nigeria Army who could have easily invited the notable figure over if at all, there is any case on him without needing to cause so much damage which amounted to a disrespect on his person. A man who has sacrificed and has been selfless as exemplified in his various roles in the state and for his country. He has served also as a former local government Chairman in Rivers State, One time Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC Covid-19 Palliative distribution for Nine states, an immediate Gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, foremost Niger Delta right- activist and philanthropist.
Recall that, High-Chief Amb Sobomabo Jackrich “EGBERIPAPA “was a gubernatorial candidate of the National Rescue Movement NRM in Rivers State. He is a man who believed strongly in the rescue Nigeria mantra of Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and has made progressive moves to begin the rescue mission from his own state. Hence, the reason he contested for the 2023 Rivers State Governorship election as a democrat. Though, he lost the election, but he has since moved on with life and busines. So, one would therefore love to ask, What is his offence ???
It has just been gathered, from a report by the Nations newspaper dated, Monday 8th April, 2024 that the operation was carried out by the military, adding that some army branded vehicles including an Armoured Personnel Carrier were used for the operation and again, we ask why ?
The good people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta region demand an explanation from the authorities over this quarrelsome attack on a notable Niger Delta figure.
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