Wanted Kidnapper Kingpin Dares FG

Delta State’s most wanted criminal suspect came out of hiding yesterday to issue the government a 60-day ultimatum on infrastructure in his community.

Kelvin Ibruvwe, a suspected kidnap kingpin, led a group of masked boys who wore military camouflage and carried assault rifles. They addressed residents of Kokori in Ethiope East Local Government.

The leader of the Liberation Movement for the Urhobo People (LIMUP) said they would shut down all oil wells in Urhobo communities if at the end of the 60 days the federal government does not grant their request.

Ibruvwe, who confirmed that he has since been declared wanted by security agents for allegedly masterminding high profile kidnappings in Delta State, said his actions were to draw the government’s attention to the poverty level and neglect of the Kokori community, which according to him produces the best oil in the country.

He said: “We are giving this ultimatum because the cheating is too much, the federal and state governments had neglect us for so long and now we want them to hear us because for over 50 years now, they have been drilling oil from our community which is the second best oil in this country, yet we have nothing to show for it.

“There is hunger everywhere; graduates have no jobs. So we want the government to listen to us and that is why we are giving them 60 days ultimatum to listen to us or else we will shut down all the well heads in the area. If they like, they should bring soldiers. When we want to strike, no amount of security can stop us because we are not alone, and there are top people in this country and in foreign land backing us.

“The reason why they have been hearing of the name Kelvin is because of what I just told you now. The government must listen to us. Boko Haram will be destroying the Northern part of the country while we will be destroying the Southsouth. We will destroy all the well heads in Urhobo kingdom.

“After the expiration of the 60 days ultimatum, the federal government will know that we don’t make empty threats, but that we are capable of doing something but we are guaranteeing them that within the next 60 days there will be peace, but if they think we cannot do anything, then they will hear from us after the expiration of the 60 days ultimatum.”

The group was surrounded by women and children – in a village square setting.

Ibruvwe went on: “As you can see our mothers, sister and brothers, we are all suffering in this community. For a very long time now, they have been looking for Kelvin, that he is a kidnapper. I am the Kelvin, I am like two million Kelvins. I am not a kidnapper.

“We are drawing the attention of the federal and state governments and we believe now that we have drawn the attention of the federal and state governments, but if the government thinks that the existing peace in the state is because of the security, we will let them know we are relaxing for a while to see what they can do.”

“When the Ijaws and Itsekiris where agitating with arms, we the Urhobo youths chose to be peaceful, but what did we get? We are rather left out completely in the amnesty programme. Is it not the same oil that the Ijaws and Itsekiris produce that is also produced in Kokori, which has the second best oil in Nigeria? So what is our crime?”

A resident of the community who spoke on behalf of the youths, Ms. Favour Sokodi, said: “We are here today because Kokori is suffering. There are no jobs for the youths, graduates whom their parents borrowed money to see through their tertiary education roam the streets with nothing to do and businesses have been very slow for our market women because there is no flow of income.

“What we want the government to do is to build schools, hospitals, banks and cottage industries that can employ the men and teeming youths of the community.”

An indigene of the community, Chief Saroke Edah who spoke on behalf of women, said: “We thank God for using our son, Kelvin, to fight for our course. He is not a criminal, as the government of Delta State wants the world to believe. He and his group are fighting for what is just, equitable and legitimate. Therefore, he should not be given a bad name.

“If the government had provided jobs for these youths and our husbands, would they take up arms to ask for what rightly belongs to them? Where the oil is found in Kokori, the land belongs to Kelvin’s grandfather and yet the family has nothing to show for over 50 years of oil exploration. Is this not injustice?”

But Delta Police spokesman Lucky Uyabeme said: “To believe such a thing is difficult that a man declared wanted is in the community. I cannot make any comments on that until it is confirmed. I am trying to get in touch with the DPO of the area, I cannot make any statement until I confirm from my men on ground.