127 
Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung on July 15 announced that
he visited and held talks with members of Niger Delta Avengers (a visit
already debunked by the militant group). He claimed to have taken a
two-hour journey on the sea to Oporoza in Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri
South-West LGA, Delta state, where he met with the leadership of the
NDA.
The Avengers however denied meeting with him, claiming he met with
fraudsters instead. Oporoza community has also now denied being aware of
such a visit. In a statement released today, Chairman of the community,
Mr. Johnbull Demebi said no one was aware of any meeting and oblivious
of his supposed visit. The statement read:
“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. 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, Hon. Minister Solomon Dalung should know that he has been
deceived by mischievous persons and perhaps must have been swindled.
Therefore, 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.”
