Wanted ex-Niger Delta war lord, ‘Osama bin Laden’ speaks from hideout

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

An ex-Niger Delta agitator Solomon Ndigbara, a.k.a. Osama bin Laden, says he is innocent of the allegation of crime levelled against him which led the military to declare a manhunt for him.

Ndigbara was recently declared wanted by the military over allegations of kidnapping and gunrunning in the Ogoni axis of Rivers State.

The ex-agitator called a Port Harcourt-based radio station from telephone from his hideout to deny involvement in any crime.

He claimed that since embracing the presidential amnesty in 2009 made possible by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, he has never indulged in crime and criminality.

He called on the international community to come to his rescue.

Ndigbara also accused chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogoni of being responsible for his current ordeal in the hands of the military.

However, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo Federal Constituency rerun election, Barry Mpigi ,has denied the allegation by Ndigbara that he is responsible for the invasion of Ndigbara’s residence by the military.

Mpigi in his reaction said he has no hand in the current ordeal of Ndigbara.

He said Ndigbara who is wanted by the military should face his problem and leave him out of it.

Mpigi also denied conniving with INEC and security agencies to rig the 19 March election.

The military authorities have different opinion about Ndigbara.

Justifying the raid through a statement, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Captain Eli Lazarus, said Ndigbara’s supporters staged a protest against the raid.

“Men of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army relying on credible intelligence conducted a raid operation on Sunday, 11 January, 2016 on the residence of one Mr. Solo also known as ‘General Solo’ in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Mr. Solomon Ndigbara is suspected of gun running and kidnapping activities. Sadly, supporters of the suspect mobilised and staged a protest against the raid.

“During the protest, several property belonging to the suspect and other innocent citizens were destroyed. Investigation into the suspected criminal activities of Mr. Solomon is ongoing.

“The Brigade enjoins all law-abiding citizens in the area to go about their lawful activities as the military will continue to work assiduously to ensure the protection of lives and property of all,” the statement read.