Posted by The Port Harcourt Telegraph on
Ateke Tom, Leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante has said he is prepared to go after Soboma George and catch up with him if the authorities would allow him.
Ateke Tom, Leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante has said he is prepared to go after Soboma George and catch up with him if the authorities would allow him.
Ateke who granted foreign journalists, including the Telegraph an interview at his Okochiri home in Okrika said he had lost hope in the way security operatives were handling the Soboma matter.
The Vigilante leader narrated how he gave information to the authorities on the moves that Soboma was making in prison and how the police later turned around to search his house.
"I suspect it is a set up", Ateke told the journalists, "some persons inside the government are collaborating with Soboma."
Ateke said there appeared to be a ploy to mess up Asari Dokubo and himself, saying that he had been optimistic about the peace process. But the way things were are the moment, Ateke said he did not know what to believe any more.
Ateke said since making the peace, he'd done nothing to jeopardize the process.
He however warned that even though he had disarmed and put his fate in the hands of God, he would do what he can to defend himself if attacked.
Asked what he thought of the situation now, he said the peace process had almost crumbled.
Ateke explained that there was no reason to link Governor Odili to what was happening.
He nonetheless fingered some persons whom he did not name and who are in government as the source of the upsurge in violence.
Ateke described Soboma as his boy and said but for the peace there was no way he could stand before him to challenge the way he is doing now.
Asked if he has received threats, Ateke said yes, saying they were obviously from Soboma and his friends whom he said simply talked nonsense and boasted they were going to kill him.
He said that as avigilante man, he would continue to hunt criminals and help bring them to book.
Ateke said he did not need a gun. All he needs, he said, is his magic stick and he noted that at the appropriate time, God would provide him with the wherewithal to do battle with those who think they can vanquish him
He urged the authorities to do something to restore confidence in the peace process before everything goes wrong.
Ateke said he supported the autonomy of the Niger Delta people and the absolute control of their resources. He added that the Nigerian nation has not been fair.