Some former militant leaders in the Niger Delta have met in Okrika, Rivers State, to discuss issues surrounding pipeline surveillance contracts.
The meeting which was held on Saturday at the Okirchi Palace of King Ateke Tom in Okrika kingdom had in attendance the likes of Asari Dokubo, Ajube Bibopiri (aka Shoot-at-Sight), and Victor Ben Ebikabowei (Gen Boyloaf).
Though the meeting was low-key and didn’t have pressmen in attendance, a source familiar with the development confirmed on condition of anonymity that part of the meeting’s objectives was to discuss and agree on strategies for carrying out pipeline surveillance contracts with the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in the region.
Most of the conversations were held behind closed doors, but it is believed that the issue of combating crude oil theft also featured prominently in the discussions, with special emphasis on the decentralisation of the contracts so as to avoid conflict among them.
When they emerged from their meeting, the ex-militants were largely all smiles and posed for photographs. They have however kept mum on their conversation.
This is coming at a time when the Ijaw Youth Congress is agitating for the award of pipeline surveillance contracts to companies indigenous to the Niger Delta. (Channels TV)
