Interpol is to be contacted by the Joint Task Force (JTF) to help hunt for militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tom Polo, who is on the run from justice after allegedly masterminding criminality in the Niger Delta.
He reportedly slipped away from the country at the weekend to take refuge in another African country.
A source said the security agencies are on his trail, pointing to the arrest of leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Henry Okah, in far away Angola.
Okah is on trial in Abuja over alleged gun running and other crimes.
The story in town is that a senior military officer leaked to Tom Polo the plot to attack Camp 5 and other camps in Chanomi, which made him to escape.
But this is denied by JTF Spokesman, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, who maintained that the militants do not have a military personnel as a mole.
His words: “I can tell you authoritatively that it is completely untrue. The soldiers in the JTF are gentlemen, patriotic and men and women of proven integrity, and above all, they are aware of the legal provisions for such an offence, in a way that none would want to be associated with this and similar misdemeanor which is forbidden in or outside the service.
“This could be the thinking of some group(s) who vowed to continue with the negative campaigns against the JTF and its personnel. They are wasting their time, as patriotic Nigerians both home and abroad, know and appreciate the good works the JTF and its men are doing to restore peace and security for our collective benefit.”
Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, provided support at the weekend by pledging the full support of his administration to rehabilitate militants who lay down their arms, once the details of amnesty have been worked out and implemented by Abuja.
In Benin, kidnapped Bob Izua Managing Director, John Osamede Adun, regained his freedom at about 2 a.m. on Sunday after allegedly paying a N20 million ransom.
He is also Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Oredo Council, Edo State.
Adun’s lawyer, Olayiwona Afolabi, confirmed his release.
Report said he is in good health.
However, just as Adun was set free in Benin, PDP Treasurer in Imo State, Peter Orji, was snatched by gunmen in Owerri.
Orji, former Works Commissioner, was said to have been kidnapped in the Fire Service station axis on his way from a meeting of the party.
Sources said his jeep was overtaken and blocked by five men in a Nissan bus, who dragged him out and forced him into their vehicle and sped away.
Orji’s whereabouts are not known, and no group or individual has requested ransom for his release.
State PDP Chairman, Marcellinus Nlemigbo, described the incident as shocking, and said the party is still studying the situation to ascertain what actually happened.
But Police Public Relations Officer, Linus Nwaiwu, said he is not aware of the abduction.