FG Commences Mopping up of Arms in Niger Delta

By Sylvester Idowu in   Warri

The Federal Government has set up the Niger Delta Riverine Protection Programme (NDRPP) as part of moves to mop up arms and ammunitions in wrong hands in the region.

The new body is headed by Tikari TY Danjuma, son of General TY Danjuma.

At a reception in his honour on Thursday night at Bomadi in Bomadi Local Government area of Delta State, Tikari Danjuma, as the National Coordinator of NDRPP assured Nigerians, particularly stakeholders in the Niger Delta that firearms would be recovered from militant groups in the region.

He further assured that all forms of illegal oil bunkering as well as unauthorised marine patrols would soon come to an end.

Danjuma gave the assurance during the reception organised by stakeholders and youths of the nine Niger Delta States to honour him on his appointment as NDRPP National Coordinator by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He appealed to militant groups in the Niger Delta, responsible for bombing and vandalism of crude oil and gas installations, to surrender their arms and join him as well as his team in championing peace and meaningful development in the region.

While assuring Niger Deltans that President Buhari was doing everything possible to find lasting peace, execute developmental projects as well as create employment for youths in the region, Mr. Danjuma stressed that the Buhari administration was doing everything possible to engage leaders and youths in the region through continuous dialogue.

The Director of Operation and Communication, NDRPP, Mr. Ebegha Tarelayefa explained that the body was ready to partner the relevant security agencies in the quest to achieve its goals, even as he expressed optimism that the  inauguration of NDRPP will bring about the much needed peace and development in the Niger Delta.

Tarelayefa appealed to militant groups in the Niger Delta to sheathe their sword and embrace peace.

The Delta State Programme Officer of NDRPP, Collins Oturubo noted that the body was determined to mediate between the National Coordinator of the programme and the militant groups in each State across the Niger Delta with a view to ending militancy, sea piracy, illegal oil bunkering and other vices plaguing the region.

He averred that an intelligence structure had been set up to address issues of illegal oil bunkering, sea piracy, unauthorised sea patrol and maritime activities across the Niger Delta States.

Mr. Otorubu disclosed that a taskforce will be established to interface with community Patrol teams which will be under each State Programme Officer (SPO).

Spokesman to the National Coordinator of NDRPP, Chief Yerin Ekpedibo assured that with the appointment of Tikari TY Danjuma to coordinate the programme, pipeline vandalism, sea piracy among others will soon be a thing of the past, just as he declared that Tikari Danjuma will bring the aggrieved youths together to follow peace with President Buhari.