Militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, have released a statement
indicating their willingness to negotiate with the Federal government.
The statement released on its website yesterday and signed by its
spokesperson, Muduch Agbinibo, reads;
“The high command of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) is using this medium
to restate that there are no new items to put on the table for
dialogue; we only want a genuine attitude and conducive atmosphere that
will make us commit to any proposed dialogue and lasting peace talk.
“We want the federal government to commit members
states of the multinational oil corporations to commit independent
mediators to this proposed dialogue; we believe that it is only such
environment that will engender genuine dialogue that will be aimed at
setting up a framework for achieving the short, medium and long term
demands of the Niger Delta to de-escalate this conflict and bring about
lasting peace.
“The NDA high command is restating our commitment to attack the interest
of oil corporation and international refineries operators that bring in
vessels to the Niger Delta territory to buy our oil that every
successive government has refused to use and reapply the proceeds
towards any development in the region since 1958.“Refusal to heed our advice will result to sinking of two their mother
vessel as an example to others. They should not undertake any repair of
pipeline, oil and gas facilities that are damaged or attacked by our
forces during this period of ‘Operation Red Economy’ until and/or after
the dialogue.
“We are using this medium to warn and condemn the activities of all
brands of social media agitators being peddled around by some
politicians to promote their criminal ways in affairs of the Niger
Delta. This genuine spirit behind our struggle for the Niger Delta
cannot be derailed on the basis of connivance by politicians,
traditional rulers, settled ex-agitators and criminals moving around to
fill their pockets.
“The issues of the Niger Delta are as old and as new as the days of Pa
Dappa Biriye, Major Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro, Ken Saro Wiwa and the
government of President Musa Yar’ Adua. We are warning this government
of President muhammadu Buhari not to turn the essence of genuine peace
talk and dialogue to political jamboree that is prevailing now where all
manner of social media agitators and criminals are being sponsored by
the job-seeking corrupt political class to save face before the
government of the day.“Finally, if need be, we may review our earlier stance of not taking
lives.
We are going to redirect and reactivate all our activities if the
government, oil companies and their service firms don’t heed to these
modest warnings of not carrying out any repair works, and suspend the
buying of crude oil from our region as we await the right atmosphere
that will engender genuine dialogue. We want peace with honour, not
peace of our time.”