Kelvin Ibruvwe, a suspected kidnap kingpin, led a group of masked boys who wore military camouflage and carried assault rifles. They addressed residents of Kokori in Ethiope East Local Government.
The leader of the Liberation Movement for the Urhobo People (LIMUP) said they would shut down all oil wells in Urhobo communities if at the end of the 60 days the federal government does not grant their request.
Ibruvwe, who confirmed that he has since been declared wanted by security agents for allegedly masterminding high profile kidnappings in Delta State, said his actions were to draw the government’s attention to the poverty level and neglect of the Kokori community, which according to him produces the best oil in the country.
He said: “We are giving this ultimatum because the cheating is too much, the federal and state governments had neglect us for so long and now we want them to hear us because for over 50 years now, they have been drilling oil from our community which is the second best oil in this country, yet we have nothing to show for it.
“There is hunger everywhere; graduates have no jobs. So we want the government to listen to us and that is why we are giving them 60 days ultimatum to listen to us or else we will shut down all the well heads in the area. If they like, they should bring soldiers. When we want to strike, no amount of security can stop us because we are not alone, and there are top people in this country and in foreign land backing us.
“The reason why they have been hearing of the name Kelvin is because of what I just told you now. The government must listen to us. Boko Haram will be destroying the Northern part of the country while we will be destroying the Southsouth. We will destroy all the well heads in Urhobo kingdom.
“After the expiration of the 60 days ultimatum, the federal government will know that we don’t make empty threats, but that we are capable of doing something but we are guaranteeing them that within the next 60 days there will be peace, but if they think we cannot do anything, then they will hear from us after the expiration of the 60 days ultimatum.”
The group was surrounded by women and children – in a village square setting.
Ibruvwe went on: “As you can see our mothers, sister and brothers, we are all suffering in this community. For a very long time now, they have been looking for Kelvin, that he is a kidnapper. I am the Kelvin, I am like two million Kelvins. I am not a kidnapper.
“We are drawing the attention of the federal and state governments and we believe now that we have drawn the attention of the federal and state governments, but if the government thinks that the existing peace in the state is because of the security, we will let them know we are relaxing for a while to see what they can do.”
“When the Ijaws and Itsekiris where agitating with arms, we the Urhobo youths chose to be peaceful, but what did we get? We are rather left out completely in the amnesty programme. Is it not the same oil that the Ijaws and Itsekiris produce that is also produced in Kokori, which has the second best oil in Nigeria? So what is our crime?”
A resident of the community who spoke on behalf of the youths, Ms. Favour Sokodi, said: “We are here today because Kokori is suffering. There are no jobs for the youths, graduates whom their parents borrowed money to see through their tertiary education roam the streets with nothing to do and businesses have been very slow for our market women because there is no flow of income.
“What we want the government to do is to build schools, hospitals, banks and cottage industries that can employ the men and teeming youths of the community.”
An indigene of the community, Chief Saroke Edah who spoke on behalf of women, said: “We thank God for using our son, Kelvin, to fight for our course. He is not a criminal, as the government of Delta State wants the world to believe. He and his group are fighting for what is just, equitable and legitimate. Therefore, he should not be given a bad name.
“If the government had provided jobs for these youths and our husbands, would they take up arms to ask for what rightly belongs to them? Where the oil is found in Kokori, the land belongs to Kelvin’s grandfather and yet the family has nothing to show for over 50 years of oil exploration. Is this not injustice?”
But Delta Police spokesman Lucky Uyabeme said: “To believe such a thing is difficult that a man declared wanted is in the community. I cannot make any comments on that until it is confirmed. I am trying to get in touch with the DPO of the area, I cannot make any statement until I confirm from my men on ground.
Excuses,excuses,excuses. That's always the reason to commit crime. You kidnap innocent people, rape some, and the rest live in fear and yet you blame govt. Most of these kidnappers are cultist why in school,did the govt tell you to join that. Hunger we say lead you to kill innocent victims. Now, we know your name as a wanted kidnapper then you change and say you are fighting for the right of your community. Let me ask you, the money you have realised so far, who and who did you help with it. Did you build hospital or try to make a difference in your community. How many lives did you change with that money because I will praise you if I hear what you did with the money. We keep blaiming others for our mistake. Voilence has become the order of the day. Innocent ones are paying with their lives. Start from your community leaders and ask if any allocation has been issued to your community. I bet you they will say nothing. Meanwhile its in their pocket. I tell you, we have a lot to answer to in heaven. Many have sold their soul to the devil just for wealth. Human using human for wealth, father kidnapping son, and a lot more and this is all govt fault. Who is the govt? Myself,you,your brothers and sisters. When one sells himself to the devil should all do same? Our problem is greed. We do not want simple lives. All fingers are not equal. I like my live as it is and if my God decide to bless me more,all glory to him. Make effort to work. It must be office work. God sees all effort and he blesses sincere efforts. Stop making excuses. Amaka.
ReplyDeleteUpdate.
ReplyDeleteIt must not be office work. One more thing! Am not saying our goverment don't have their role to play!!! All am saying is,we are government ourselves because after each tenure one of us take over from the other but we don't do anything than to embezzle money. Only few remember their communities. Nigerians we have to wake up. We have to realise that instead of fighting each we should work together. The energy we put into fighting, if channeled to positive thing our country will be better than others. We are a blessed nations. It might not be as beautiful as other countries but we are really blessed. I am a proud nigerian. Good or bad. Please stop the voilence, do sincere jobs, make your family proud. There is money in farming,trading, catering and lot more. It takes prayers, determination and patience. Rome was not built in a day and so don't expect to make money in one day.
Amaka.
ARMS IS NEVER ENCOURAGE. BUT WHAT WOULD THE GOVERNMENT EXPECT? WHEN THEY REWARD THE VIOLENT (TOMPOLO AND THE REST) AND IGNORE THE PEACEFUL. IJAWS AND ITSEKIRI WERE VIOLENT AND GET REWARDED. THE URHOBO HAS SAW THEIR PEACEFUL DEMEANOR IS NOT WORKING AS IN NIGERIA, ONLY THE VIOLENT TAKES IT BY FORCE. I WISH THEM THE BEST OF LUCK. BUT RESPECT THE SANITY OF HUMAN LIFE IN YOUR STRUGGLE UNLIKE BOKO BOYS
ReplyDeleteHere we go again, grant another amnesty and see another criminal surface. Who ever said amnesty to crime was a solution? You better be prepared to grant the entire Nigerian criminals amnesty and those yet to turn criminals and even those yet to be born. A situation where government gratifies crime is a disgrace
ReplyDeleteAnother Tom Polo in making!! This is the result any country that promotes/encourage violence gets. Through Amnesty, our leaders think they can buy their way out but they fail to realise that the buy out is only temporary. Kelvin and other youths from Urobo community now wants their own share of the cake! My advice if you guys(leaders) don't want a total break down of law/order better give it to them! Aslo on time! Cz I know/concluded that you(leaders) will never do the right thing or anything right(vice versa) so no need mentioning or advising you guys(leaders) so just pls do the wrong thing! on time to save life and properties once and for all. Dead Spiritual people! DSP!!
ReplyDeleteThat is it! When criminality is being celebrated by our leaders, what do u expect? If not, how do u explain a situation where militants are now so rich to d extent of buying private Jet in this country and no constituted institution is asking any question, yet Mr. President is saying Nigerians are celebrating corruption. Who is encouraging corruption here, the leaders or followers? Your guess is as good as mine!
ReplyDeleteKelvin, Kelvin my Brother, pls ask God for wisdom in this agitation. We are all agrieved. It is indeed unfortunate. No shedding of Blood pls my Kokori Brother. It is not d best of options. Ogoni land is a case in point and many more. Let's device other alternatives. God Bless Us All!
Jite!