Apparently afraid of a backlash, the Police have released the five oil
workers allegedly branded as members of Niger Delta Avengers by the Joint
Task Force (JTF).
The five oil workers were taken to the 19 Battalion in Koko, Warri North
Council Area of Delta State before they were handed over to the Police
yesterday for prosecution.
However, the communities miffed by the arrest, handed over a 72-hour
ultimatum to Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) to effects the release of the
oil workers else they would withdraw all the services by community workers
from the major all firms operating in the area.
The threats have paid off as the five pipeline surveillance workers seized
by the Joint Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta, last Friday, in
connection with the bombing of Pipeline belonging to Chevron Nigeria
Limited, CNL, at Makaraba community, Gbaramatu clan, Warri South-West
Council Area, Delta State, have now breathed the air of freedom.
Among those released were Samuel Emiko and Alfred Timedi, ( Itsekiri) and
Isaac Edinde, Henry Arogboritse and Kelvin Mordi (Ijaw), arrested by
soldiers while on surveillance duty for Chevron’s contractor.
Acting Secretary, Gbaramatu Council of Chief, Chief Godspower Gbenekama,
and a Niger Delta environmental activist, Comrade Sheriff Mulade had
mounted intensive campaigns for the release of the said arrested oil
workers.
Chief Gbenekama confirmed their release and thanked the media for playing
up the matter, saying, “Yes, I am aware that they released them on
Wednesday night, I want to thank you people in the media for crying out
for us.”
“The released workers were asked to report next Wednesday,” a security
source, who also confirmed their release.
“The 19th Battalion, Nigerian Army, Koko, handed them over to the Delta
State Police Command, Asaba, from where they moved them to Bayelsa State
and released them on Wednesday.”
Top officials of Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, were said to have
facilitated their freedom as they met with their families on Wednesday in
Warri, and assured them that the company was doing everything possible to
ensure their release.