Former Commander, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, Chief Ateke Tom, has ruled out possible resumption of hostilities in the Niger Delta region because President Goodluck Jonathan lost the presidential poll.
He also expressed confidence that things will be better in Rivers State when Mr Nyesom Wike assumes office as governor.
Ateke, on Monday in his hometown in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, assured that the region will be peaceful. According to him, anyone who dares to threaten the peace in the region should be treated as a common criminal.
He said: “I heard some people saying that youths in the region might go back to the creeks soon. Well, I want to say that nobody will go back to the creeks because there is no reason for anybody to resume hostilities in the region. Anybody who makes any move to threaten the peace should be treated as a common criminal because there is no reason for that in the region again.”
Expressing the hope that General Muhammadu Buhari will provide purposeful leadership when sworn in as President of the country, Ateke advised him to give all Nigerians opportunity to contribute positively to his government.
He further advised Buhari against revoking the pipelines surveillance contracts awarded to youths in the region, stressing that the youths were better positioned to secure the pipelines from vandalisation.
“My advice is that Buhari should not cancel it. We are taking care of the pipelines and we are taking care of them very well. If he cancels the job, I don’t see who else can do it better. We are the owners of the area and are more familiar with the terrain. So, he should allow us continue to do the job for the country,” he added.
