SAN FRANCISCO, July 19, (THEWILL) – The people of Oporoza in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, say they are unaware of a supposed visit by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, to the town last week as claimed by him, adding that the minister may have been defrauded by mischievous persons who posed as the dreaded militants.
Chairman of the community, Mr. Johnbull Demebi, in a statement issued on Tuesday, disclosed that the people were surprised when they read Dalung’s narrative in the newspapers on how he visited Oporoza and held interactive session with members of the militant Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, and some villagers.
According to Demebi, “It is pertinent to state that to the best of our knowledge, we, the leadership of the community did not receive the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports, or any other government official in Oporoza town last week.
“We have stated in many fora and occasions that we do not know anything about the Niger Delta Avengers. Oporoza town or any other community in Gbaramatu kingdom has nothing to do with the Avengers and their activities. We had in time past, condemned the activities of the Avengers, and therefore could not have anything to do with them in our community,” he said.
Dumebi added: “As peace loving and law -abiding citizens of Nigeria, we make bold to say that we are very receptive people, and have received several top government functionaries in our community, Oporoza. For the avoidance of doubt, the last government visitor to Oporoza community was the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr Abrahim Idris, and he was given a rousing welcome by the community, led by the chairman, Mr Johnbull Dumebi.”
“And so, we doubt the claim of the Hon. Minister that he visited Oporoza community, last week, and had a meeting with members of Niger Delta Avengers and other community people.
“At this juncture, we wish to warn and advise government functionaries and VIPs to be careful and mindful of persons they associate with, particularly with the intention of visiting our communities, as some persons are out to make money from top government functionaries and bring the name of the community disrepute,” he said.
The community leader further stated that the minister has been deceived and perhaps swindled by mischievous persons, adding therefore that, “whoever that intend to visit our communities should make proper arrangement with the leadership of such communities to avoid any mishap in the course of such journey.”
