BEVERLY HILLS, September 07, (THEWILL) – Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo, father of former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has died.
Chief Ekpemupolo, aged 84, passed on early Wednesday morning at a private clinic; Lily Clinic, in Warri, after a brief illness.
According to Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo’s spokesman, the military assault on the octogenarian led to his eventual demise adding that he sustained some injuries during the military expeditions in his community in Gbaramatu kingdom recently.
He recalled that Tompolo, who is currently in hiding, had made a mention of an injury his father sustained when soldiers invaded his home in Kurutie while his health situation deteriorated by the rough experience he was subjected to during the military expedition as he was being moved from place to place.
THEWILL gathered that Chief Ekpemupolo had been sick for a while, even before the invasion, but not that serious but he went through some stress as he was being moved from Kurutie to Kunukunuma to Warri because he was not sure of his safety.
He had a problem with one of his legs, about 2 months ago, which was amputated.
Tompolo had written to President Muhammadu Buhari to complain of the treatment meted to his father and family members.
“I wish to write your Excellency once again on the continuous harassment and intimidation of my family members and close associates by your security agencies (Nigerian Army, Navy, Department of State Service (DSS), and the Police,” he wrote.
“Sadly, one of his lower limbs was amputated two weeks ago. From the doctor’s report, it will be a thing of miracle if he survives this incident,” he said about his father.
“Is this 84 years old man also a member of the Niger Delta Avengers, that he was brutalised to the point of death? Will your Excellency accept this in good faith if this was done to your father or someone of this age in your family?
“I have not heard of anyone that was treated like this even in the volatile north-eastern part of the country. I have said it on many occasions that the issue I am having with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will not lead to violence or resort to destruction of pipelines and other oil facilities, because I have a good case.”
Story by David Oputah
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