Latest reports from the Niger Delta creeks indicate that about 14 journalists reportedly kidnapped by ex-Niger Delta militant, Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo on Sunday have regained their freedom in the early hours of Monday.
The kidnapped journalists include South-South Regional Editor of the Vanguard newspaper, Emma Amaize, South-South Editor of Nation newspaper, Shola O'Neil, a reporter with Daily Independent, Emma Arubi, South-South region editor of the Leadership, Shola Adebayo, a Channels TV cameraman/reporter and others who were abducted in Oporoza.
SaharaReporters learned that the journalists were in the Delta State creeks this afternoon for the first hand coverage of massive protest staged by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s kinsmen over the manner the Tompolo and other Ijaw leaders are frustrated the take off of the $16billion Export Processing Zone Project due for commissioning by President Goodluck Jonathan but was botched following severe threats by Tompolo and other Ijaw indigenes.
Confirming the report of the freed journalists, the Commanding Officer NNS Delta, Navy Captain Musa Gemu stated that the journalists are now in protective custody of the Commanding Officer, Escravos and were quartered in a houseboat, adding that he already instructed the CO Escravos to ensure their safe return to Warri on Monday.
However, SaharaReporters learned that about three youths loyal to the chairman of the Waterways security committee, Ayiri Emami who were kidnapped alongside the journalists are still being held by the army because some firearms were found in their possession right on the same boat boarded by the journalists.
The journalists were led on a voyage by Ayiri but he narrowly escaped being kidnapped by Tompolo because he was said to have used a different boat.
Meanwhile, the Itsekiris of Delta State have lambasted President Jonathan, calling him is a coward and therefore demanded the President and the State governor should resign from office.
Reacting to the development, chairman of the "Itsekiri Leaders of Thought", Pa J. O.S Ayomike, said that by succumbing to the threat by the Ijaws of Gbaramatu Kingdom in cancelling the ground breaking ceremony last week, the President was taking side against the wish and aspiration of the Itsekiri people.
“President Jonathan’s refusal to perform the groundbreaking ceremony of the project as fixed for Friday was a show of cowardice unexpected of his office which should stand for the rule of law. He has shown that he has joined the Ijaw militants in creating division amongst the ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general.
“Jonathan should know that Itsekiri the world over will go to the UN to request for secession if Jonathan and Ijaws want to pursue the extermination of the Itsekiri people.
We will ask for the protection of the Britain, USA and the United Nations.” Ayomike, an octogenarian stressed.
While berating their son and governor of Delta state, the Itsekiri stated that Uduaghan is not fit to be a governor as such he should without any further delay tender his resignation letter.
They further lambasted Uduaghan, for not using his influence to prevail on President Jonathan to honour the ceremony they had lavishly prepared for, calling him to throw in the towel as Governor that he had boasted that nobody can stop Jonathan from coming for the EPZ groundbreaking ceremony.