Ebikeme Clark, son of respected Ijaw elder, Chief Edwin Clark has been released by his kidnappers with no ransom paid. Ebi said the kidnappers had to release him after being ordered to do so by a former Niger Delta militant, Government Tompolo.
“They were ordered by their leader, Chief Tompolo to free me and one Chief Boro Opudu. I was freed 12 mid night today ( Sunday). No ransom was paid. They have people they listen to or they lose their lives. I can’t give you full details now.
“It couldn’t have been pleasant. All I know is that they have people in the community aiding them to keep people. You eat anything you are given and you don’t expect it to be good enough. I was taken to a community somewhere near Bayelsa State”, Ebi said.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youths Congress has commended security agencies for the freedom of Ebi from his abductors.
In a statement released by the group and signed by Eric Omare, the group said, “This clearly demonstrates to the entire world and Nigerians in particular that crimes only thrive in the society when it is condoned and given tacit support by members of the society.
“The IYC believes that there is a valuable lesson to be learnt from this experience by Nigerians and the government in the fight against crimes, especially terrorism in the Northern part of the country.”
“We once again call on oil companies and state governments in the Niger Delta region whose oil revenue have increased as a result of the cessation of militancy in the Niger Delta to live up to their responsibility of providing and creating jobs in the post amnesty era.
“The fight against kidnapping, oil theft and other social vices in the Niger Delta region cannot be successful without relevant stakeholders taking drastic steps to address the economic situation of our people.
“The training acquired by ex-agitators through the amnesty programme would not achieve its purpose without the provision of jobs for the beneficiaries,” Omare said.