Edith CHUKU
A group in the Niger Delta region has expressed concern over the whereabouts of the Rivers State governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement in the 2023 general elections, Sobomabo Jackrich.
Recall that about 4:00am on Monday, Jackrich popularly known as Egberipapa was allegedly abducted at his residence in Usokun, Degema Local Government Area of the state by gunmen dressed in military uniform.
His media aide, Soibibo Sokari confirmed that he was taken away along with the dead bodies of two of his loyalists who were allegedly killed during the raid. One day after the incident, the whereabouts of the former militant leader is still unknown.
In a release made available to TNN on Tuesday, a Niger Delta human rights activist, Mr. I.E Kelly Rufus, called on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led Federal Government, as well as governors and leaders of the region to seek the immediate release of Jackrich.
Rufus who made this call under the aegis of the Niger Delta Libration Force NDLF, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area of the state, also appealed to the Nigeria Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to intervene by ensuring Jackrich’s safety.
He said, “We the members of the Niger Delta Libration Force NDLF, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area of Rivers State, call on the attention of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the federal republic of Nigeria, governors and leaders of the Niger Delta region, alias South-South mostly, the Rivers State governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS, to lend their voices on the demand for the immediate and unconditional release of High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich Egberipapa.
“Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich Egberipapa, a renowned Niger Delta rights activist, philanthropist and national leader of the Niger Delta Libration Force (NDLF) Usokun home in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State was attacked, invaded and placed on siege by some unidentified uniform men in the Nigeria Army Camouflage in an odd hour, (3:30am.) earlier morning Monday 8th of April, 2024.
“We therefore, call on the attention of the Nigeria Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately intervene by ensuring the safety of a Rivers State asset in the name of, High-Chief Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich Egberipapa.
“Going forward, we want to bring to fore, the attention of Mr. President that the peace so far enjoyed in Rivers State and across the entire Niger Delta region over the years, was immensely impacted by High-Chief Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich ‘Egberipapa’ who has been a foremost philanthropist in the region, and a key player of the peace process that has enveloped the entire Niger Delta region.
“Hence, we succinctly call on Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to wade into the abduction of ‘Egberipapa’ by men of the Nigeria Army who could have easily invited the notable figure over if at all there is any case on him without needing to cause so much damage which amounted to a disrespect on his person. The good people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta region demand an explanation from the authorities over this quarrelsome attack on a notable Niger Delta figure.”
