A prominent Niger Delta leader and elder statesman, High Chief Wellington Bobo, JP, the Oroupawei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, has urged various parties in the region to stop subjecting prominent leaders, in what he described as unwarranted attacks, and to desist from dragging their names into ethnic disputes.

The High Chief comments were in reaction to various attacks on social media against High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo; the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro; the Executive Director of Operations and Technical of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Engr. Matthew Tonlagha; and the management of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

Speaking on the pipeline surveillance contract, the elder statesman clarified that the Federal Government's contract on pipeline security was not an exclusive arrangement involving Tompolo or Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) alone, explaining that the security initiative had been decentralised to accommodate several companies and stakeholders from different ethnic nationalities working together to protect critical national oil and gas infrastructure.

According to him, the activities of TSSNL have produced "measurable benefits across host communities in the Niger Delta through improved security, increased crude oil production, employment opportunities for youths and various community development initiatives," he stated.

High Chief Bobo described Tompolo as a philanthropist whose contributions to peacebuilding, youth empowerment and regional development had positively impacted communities across ethnic divides, adding that those behind the persistent attacks on Tompolo and TSSNL failed to acknowledge their role in promoting stability in the Niger Delta.

On the recent dispute involving Itsekiri and Ijaw youths at Zou-Ala-Iba (known as Zaghala, Ijaghala), he stressed that the prevailing peace in Delta State should not be sacrificed because of political or ethnic disagreements.

He urging leaders of both the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities to continue embracing dialogue, mutual respect and understanding as the foundation for sustainable coexistence.

The Gbaramatu chief also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for what he described as their commitment to peacebuilding and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the Niger Delta.

He called on all stakeholders to reject inflammatory rhetoric and actions capable of fuelling ethnic tension, and reminded them that enduring development in Warri and the wider Niger Delta can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace, cooperation and respect for the rights, history and territorial integrity of all communities.

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