Nigeria: Bayelsa Govt Accused of Habouring Togo

Daily Independent

17 May 2011

Nigeria: Bayelsa Govt Accused of Habouring Togo

Calabar — The Bayelsa State Government has been accused of habouring John Togo, surrendering leader of Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF), the militant group that remained in the creeks to do battle with the Nigerian state after he repudiated the Federal Government's Amnesty programme.

The accusation was made by the manager of the Obubra Camp of the amnesty programme, Ekpein Appah, when he spoke to journalists at the camp some hours before Togo announced his surrender and the disbanding the NDLF.

Despite the surrender, there have been a lot of speculations to Togo's whereabouts, with fears in some quarters that he might have been injured seriously or have died from injuries he sustained during fighting with members of the joint military task force on Niger Delta.

Appah said: "I am challenging the governor of Bayelsa State. I am saying it again. John Togo; as I am talking today is in Government House, Bayelsa.

"Quote me on air and let him call me to order. What is John Togo doing in Government House, Bayelsa? What is that man doing there?

"Is the SSS saying that they do not know that man is there or is the NSA saying they do not know? I challenge Azazi. These things should not be hidden. I am Ekpein Appah. Let them come and pick me up.