Posted by By HENRY CHUKWURAH, Port Harcourt on
The Rivers State Government has called the bluff of local warlord, Ateke Tom, over his threat to unleash further violence in the state, just as it declared that it is not indebted to the wanted cult leader to warrant his claim for payment.
The Rivers State Government has called the bluff of local warlord, Ateke Tom, over his threat to unleash further violence in the state, just as it declared that it is not indebted to the wanted cult leader to warrant his claim for payment.
The government's 'will take-no-nonsense" message came in the wake of a directive by Ateke to residents of Port Harcourt, to observe an indefinite daily curfew from 9.00 p.m, effective from last Friday. The curfew, he said, was to ensure their safety in a planned attack on the seat of government.
The Niger Delta Vigilante leader last week threatened an all-out terror attack on the state, if, according to him, he is not compensated for the damages he suffered after the attack on his Okochiri camps by the Joint Military Task Force.
Speaking in an interview with Daily Sun, the Director of Press to Governor Chibuike Amaechi, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke, said it is not true that the government was owing the militia leader.
Mr. Nwuke said the government did not go into any transaction with Ateke Tom to warrant any payment.
'I am not aware that the Rivers State Government is owing Ateke because for government to owe Ateke, there must be a transaction.
'What kind of transaction did government enter into with Ateke? So, rather than join issues with Ateke, we urge him, in his own interest and in the interest of those he is leading, to turn over a new leaf".
The government's chief spokesman said the state government was not moved by Ateke's threat.
'I don't imagine that as a threat, because it only goes to prove the point we are making and that is that this whole thing has nothing to do with the Niger Delta struggle. I imagine that the very basis for the struggle is to corner more resources to the region. I reckon that the basis of the struggle is to provide more development for the people of the area.
'So, if the aim is to do many bad, bad things as he said, then it is no longer a matter of fighting for the interest of the people. For the avoidance of doubt, what the government is saying is that people should be guided by the rule of law and if our friends in the militant fold go by the rule of law, we don't have any problem with them."
Mr. Nwuke said: 'No reasonable government would allow the rule of the jungle where the man who crows loudest is the king. I guess that rather than see it as a threat directed at the government, it is a threat directed at all law-abiding citizens of not even Rivers State alone, but of the entire Niger Delta".
He advised the militant leader to place the interest and future of the state and its people above self and join in the task of rebuilding the state.
'There are so many ex-militants who now believe that no useful purpose can be served by undue recourse to arms. His Excellency, Governor Rotimi Amaechi has made it clear that those who surrender their weapons stand a chance of getting amnesty. My thinking is that there is no way a man who is talking about peace can keep the instrument of making war."
Recalling the Asari Dokubo example to the wanted warlord, Nwuke said the ‘born-again' Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF) leader provided an eloquent example of the gains of pursuing a struggle, while living in a decent society.
'So, it is in our best interest if the militants change tactics. In Rivers State, for example, we are saying that Rivers money will be spent on Rivers people and all those masquerading as militants can still be useful in a decent society".
Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force (JTF) has warned that it would resist any attempt at violence in the state.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, the Task Force said it was ready to repel any such attack.
'In matters of security in Rivers State, the outfit is well prepared to stem and, where necessary, to repel any attack from militants and bandits".
He warned 'miscreants not to try to test the will of the JTF Operation Flush," adding that 'we are a responsible, disciplined fighting force that strikes when and where necessary, as a last resort only."
Col Musa urged the media also to 'stop glorifying murderers and champions of lawlessness".
Last week, Ateke Tom told Daily Sun in an interview: 'I will do many, many bad things in Rivers State if dem no pay me", saying he lost money and goods worth more than N50 million in the attack on his Okochir camps by the JTF and he needed to be compensated before there would be peace.