Igbomotoru Crisis: Endurance Amagbein Disassociates Self From Illegal Crude Oil Camp

Endurance Amagbein, an indigene of Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has disassociated himself from alleged ownership of an illegal oil mining camp located in the community.
In a statement issued in Yenagoa, Endurance Amagbein stated that his attention was drawn to statements making the rounds in the mainstream and social media that there were attempts to stamp out an illegal crude oil camp. He said the said camp does not belong to him.
The statement reads in part, “My attention has been drawn to statements making rounds in the mainstream and social media and credited to the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe that its operation in Igbomotoru community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State is targeted at stamping out an illegal crude oil mining camp operated by me with an allegation that I am a notorious militant leader engaged in the act of vandalism of crude oil pipelines.
“In their desperation to incriminate me, it is over two weeks since the military under their direction arrested and incarcerated Pere Igoli, Patterson Joseph, Emmanuel Boma, Jonah Belawari and Paebi Obinne torturing and forcing them to make statements linking me.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I, Endurance Amagbein wish to set the record straight and state unequivocally that I am a peaceful and law-abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am not a militant leader and I also do not have any dealings or connections whatsoever with any illegal crude oil mining site howsoever described in any forest.
“The statement is false, malicious, and mischievous made in a desperate attempt to injure my reputation and to fit into a narrative.
“On the contrary, under the guise of protecting oil facilities, Darlon oil and gas limited owned by Mr. David Lyon and the Nigerian Agip oil company (NAOC) engaged the military to burn down my properties, that of many others, dehumanize young and old, desecrate First Baptist Church and many other heritage sites in Igbomotoru community.
“It is instructive to state further that while the people of Olugbobiri community, the home town of Mr. David Lyon are living peacefully, he has for his selfish purposes continued to orchestrate violence in Igbomotoru community by also working in concert with the military to clothe miscreants amongst them to cause mayhem.
“It is in this regard that I wish to also use this medium to join the chiefs, elders and other leaders of Igbomotoru communities to send a save our soul message to the Bayelsa state government and to stop Darlon Oil & Gas Limited and Mr. David Lyon forthwith from further mobilising youth from his Olugbobiri community to carry out acts likely to cause inter-communal war.
“More than that, the military high command is called upon to urgently investigate the actions of its officers and men and the propriety of civilians co-habiting in the same houseboat with military personnel.
“In their desperate desire to control the oil pipelines in Igbomotoru community, David Lyon and his Darlon security in connivance with the Nigerian Agip oil company has engaged the services of the Nigerian army in the guise of pipelines protection but with the original motive of eliminating me for no just cause. The statement read.
“They have rendered me and many other natives of Igbomotoru community homeless even as they continue with their desperate efforts to assassinate me.
“The world should hold David Lyon and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company responsible should anything happen to me or any law abiding youth of Igbomotoru community.”