Gbaramatu youths call for arrest of Ejele over alleged incitement

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Gbaramatu Youth Development Association, aka Gbaramatu Youth Council, has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Delta PDP chieftain, Mr Michael Diden, aka Ejele, for provocative incitement of communal conflict.

The youth council made the call at a press conference held on Friday in Warri, Delta State.

The council’s statement was read on behalf of the youth by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Maxwell Wuruyai.

The youth alleged that in a video circulating on social media platforms, Mr. Ejele had called for an attack on Ijaw individuals from Gbaramatu Kingdom employed by Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) for performing their legitimate duties.

 The council said that it would have ignored the malicious video but had to respond because of the potentially dangerous implications of its malicious narrative, which, according to them, could incite ethnic conflict and disrupt public order.

“The attention of the Gbaramatu Youth Council has been drawn to a reckless and inciting video currently circulating on various social media platforms.

“In the video, one Evang. Michael Diden, also known as Ejele, calls for attacks on Ijaw individuals from Gbaramatu Kingdom employed by TSSNL simply for performing their legitimate duties, particularly when oil thieves use Itsekiri communities as cover for their illegal activities,” they said.

The youth council said that Ejele’s outburst specifically targets Gbaramatu Kingdom, making unfounded allegations that endanger the lives and properties of its peace-loving people.

“Let it be categorically stated that Tantita is not a Gbaramatu-owned company, nor is it exclusive to any ethnic group. It is a national security contractor with a federal mandate to protect critical oil infrastructure and curb theft.

“We call on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police Force, and the Nigerian Navy to urgently investigate Mr. Ejele and bring him to justice,” they said.

 The Council said that reducing Tantita’s work to a Gbaramatu agenda was a deliberate attempt to undermine a legitimate federal initiative.

 According to them, in reality, Tantita employ Nigerians from across ethnic divides, including over three thousand Itsekiri youths, either directly or through subcontractors operating across the Niger Delta.

 They said that Ejele’s attempt to incite Itsekiri youths against Tantita employees, carrying out national assignments, was both dangerous and deeply irresponsible.

 The Council urged the Federal Government to take his threat with seriousness, believing that Ejele’s bitterness stems from the disruption of his alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering by Tantita’s operations.

The youth noted that oil and gas industry had suffered for years from illegal bunkering and vandalism adding that Tantita had been able to change the narratives and increase revenue for the federal government.

“Perhaps Ejele is unaware that oil-bearing communities, including Itsekiri areas, benefit directly from Tantita’s operations. The 3% allocation for community development under the Petroleum Industry Act can only be fully realized when oil infrastructure is protected from sabotage.

“To suggest that Tantita should stand down because oil thieves use local communities as cover is to imply that these communities should remain underdeveloped.

“Tantita’s workforce includes Nigerians from various ethnicities, working alongside the military and other government agencies.

“Any claim that Tantita is “invading’ ethnic communities is not only false but also an insult to the Nigerian Armed Forces, who collaborate in these security efforts.

“We challenge Mr Ejele to provide verifiable evidence of any such invasion. No such record exists. His claims are a smokescreen designed to protect illegal operations that impoverish our people and devastate the environment.

“Gbaramatu Kingdom has always been known for peace, hospitality, and a strong commitment to national unity. We have never attacked any of our neighbors, including the Itsekiri people, nor do we intend to.

“The Gbaramatu Youth Council unequivocally dissociates its people from these dangerous provocations. It is no secret that Michael Diden is uncomfortable with Tantita’s success. His video is a textbook case of incitement, filled with lies and designed to provoke inter-ethnic violence,” they said.

The statement maintained that the Gbaramatu Youth Council remained fully committed to peace and regional development but refused to be provoked into violence.

“However, if state security forces fail to act, the Gbaramatu Youth Security Council will take necessary steps to protect our people from targeted attacks.

“We also call on our Itsekiri brothers and sisters to reject this divisive rhetoric. The true enemies are not those securing national assets, but those exploiting the region’s resources for personal gain.

“A final word of caution, no one has a monopoly on provocation. But for the sake of peace, we will continue to show restraint.

“Our silence should not be mistaken for fear. We remain vigilant, united, and committed to defending our land, our name, and the peace we have always stood for,” the council said.