Samuel Oyadongha
18 November 2011, Sweetcrude, Yenagoa – Ex-militant leader and member of the upper senate of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND Mr. Eris Paul popularly known as Commander Ogunboss yesterday denied reports that he was arrested last Thursday in Port Harcourt by the police in connection with his recent utterances during Governor Timipre Sylva re-election rally in Yenagoa.
Ogunboss blamed his alleged arrest as the handiwork of his detractors noting that as a signatory to the Peace Accord in the Niger Delta, he has nothing incriminating that would warrant his arrest or questioning by any security agent.
Speaking at a press conference in Yenagoa he expressed alarm over report that he was fatally injured for allegedly resisting arresting as reported by some broadcast stations.
“I just returned from Abuja yesterday where I went to see my family. I have not been arrested by anybody or even been invited for questioning by the security agents. I am surprised that people are just spreading unfounded rumours. So where is the rumour coming from?” He querried.
“I am a man who has contributed so much to the Peace process that has been going on over two years now in the Niger Delta. I work with the security agents as well, so it is unfair that somebody somewhere will just wake on a faithful morning to create unnecessary rumour of any kind.”
“You can see me that I am hundred percent healthy. I have not been shot by any security agent and not even a question from them”.
He said as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he was entitled to support any candidate of his choice for the governorship of the state adding that his political support should not be mistaken for political loyalty.
“I can support any aspirant I want, but am not loyal to any politician. I am only loyal to the peace accord I signed with the Federal government during the Amnesty proclamation”.
On threat by some ex-militants to resume hostilities against oil installations, he dismissed the the group saying they are group of criminals who have decided to use violence to resolve their issues.
On Bajeros Nigeria Limited, a security and surveillance company owned by ex militants he said, “Bajeros as a security company is working in collaboration with the NNPC. Our duty is to ensure that oil installations are not tempered with. We will continue to do our job in ensuring that the prevailing peace in the region is sustained for the development of the Niger Delta”.
He declared that he would not sympathize with the “group of criminals”, who called themselves ex militants of the Third Phase Amnesty, noting that some politicians in the region who are feeding fat from the programme were using the boys to foment trouble in the region.
He reiterated his commitment to the Peace process, saying that he would continue to partner with security agents for the arrest and prosecution of any criminal element found vandalizing oil facilities in the region.
