The Federal Government explained yesterday why it has refused to enter into dialogue with the Niger Delta Avengers who has continuously bombed pipelines in the region even as the militants vowed not to beg government for negotiation.
The Federal Government gave the explanation a day after the Avengers blew up three more trunk lines in Bayelsa and Rivers. Meanwhile, residents of over 75 riverine communities Delta state have cried out over the pollution of their environment and environment by the activities of the Avengers and other militant groups.
Giving reason why the Federal Government was not holding talks with the Niger Delta Avengers on how to put an end to the bombing of pipelines, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo said that they are not freedom fighters but economic warriors who are fighting for their own private pockets.
Professor Osinbajo who delivered the second foundation lecture of Elizade University,Ilaramokin, Ondo state entitled “The Future is here earlier than we thought”, declared that “the so called avengers are not freedom fighters but fighting for their own economic benefits.
They are avenging for their private pocket and that is why government is not talking with them”.
The Vice President however said that the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to tackle the menace of pipeline vandalism in the Niger/Delta region. While condemning the activities of the militants who claimed responsibility for the vandalization of petroleum pipelines in the Niger/Delta region, said “the previous government neglected the region for several years, hence the current challenges in the region.
The Federal Government has however put machinery in motion to curtail the activities of Niger/Delta Avengers”.He also lamented that the activities of the avengers were responsible for the epileptic power supply in the country as well as the inability of state governors to pay workers’ salaries due to the low revenue generated in the oil sector as a result of the attack on pipelines.
The NDA, however, continued its crippling attacks on the nation’s economy, blowing up the Nembe 1, 2 and 3 trunk lines in Bayelsa and Rivers states, in the early hours of Friday.
The group, which maintained in an electronic mail that it would not beg government for dialogue, later on its website claimed responsibility for the attack, saying: “At about the of 3.00 am to 5.00 am, the Niger Delta Avenger blew up Nembe 1, 2, and 3 trunk-lines in Bayelsa/River States.” Its spokesperson, self-styled Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, asserted “We are using this medium to warn the general public of impostors’ Facebook accounts. Niger Delta Avenger is not on Social network anymore.”
It was however, gathered that residents are worried that the rampaging militants vowed to attack and shoot villagers who dare to interrupt their operations.
The Niger Delta Avengers, also yesterday, said it does not care if the Federal Government hires mercenaries from Saudi Arabia or anywhere to fight them. Reacting to online reports that the federal government had concluded agreement with Saudi authorities to deploy Saudi Blackwater mercenaries to the Niger Delta region to tackle militants that had been bombing oil facilities, spokesperson of the group, self-styled Brig Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, told newsmen that NDA was not perturbed.
A staff in The Royal Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria supposedly confirmed the $280 million deal, as part of the agreement in the Saudi-led Islamic coalition against terrorism to Vaxity. Anwar Eshki, a retired Major General, in the Saudi armed forces is reportedly the head of Blackwater, which undertakes such assignments for the Saudi Arabian government.
Niger Delta Avengers in its reaction, said: “The Niger Delta Avengers do not care if the federal government hires or concludes plans to bring in Bluewater, Graywater, Pinkwater, Whitewater or Blackwater mercenaries from Saudi Arabia. It is none of our business, the Saudi Arabia, has its own problem of terrorism, so coming here to help Nigerian government is funny. The Niger Delta region will win this war,” the group added.
The Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, also responding to the alleged move by government to hire Saudi mercenaries, said: “We want to reiterate that bombing Niger Delta communities or wasting $258million to hire fighters to fight the Niger Delta Avengers will not stop Niger Delta quest for self-determination. Rather, it will aggravate and teach aggrieved youths better warfare and how to go about acquiring modern equipment to fight back tomorrow.”
The group in a joint statement by the national president and spokesperson, Austin Ozobo and Daniel Ezekiel, said: “We wonder why the government is so bent on wasting such huge amount of money to hire fighters from Saudi Arabia to fight a region that has fed the country for the past 58 years. We are also surprised at the president’s decision to hire his Muslim allies to fight Niger Delta people.” It asked: “Why not Nigeria soldiers?
What happened to the 100 gunboats, 5 warships and 3 fighter jets earlier deployed to the creeks to fight Niger Delta Avengers, which turned into a venture of intimidating innocent people and invading communities? Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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So you are still blaming the last governmenx? OK do your own now and develop there. Now hunger hardship and hopelessness is killing many Nigerians and you are talking nonsence. A A pastor for that matter lying in this way because of position and politics. It is sad!
ReplyDeleteThe pikin wey no allow e mother sleep e ma no go sleep. The war zone is going to be the agitators soil, Gowon's style of fighting war,i.e hunger will be adopted right from day one of the war. Many people will go beyond. While I support your genuine struggle for community development but your recent activities does not portray one. The elders of the zone should think fast and stop listening to this Western world through their politicians that is sponsoring this menace called agitation.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that is certain is that there can never be 2 master on the same ship.
ReplyDeleteAlso, this people are not representing their community as they claimed rather fighting for their own pocket.
lf so, what has Asari dokunbo and Tompolo contributed to the community from all the money they have made from this militant?
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ReplyDeleteOK oooo if hiring foreigners to fight against your is the best,go on but I thought that this government have plan before for Nigerians? This have proved what people have been saying that APC government is clueless and planless.I know that Political and religious bigots from North and West will be jubilating about the plan,but bet me this is the beginning of downfall and seperation of Nigeria as one Country, everybody must suffer this action that is about to happened, why can't this Buhari learn from Late Yardua and continue with well planned amnesty programs? Hmmm so you thought that NDA are not sponsored by some great Countries of the Word?just to create confusion in Nigeria like they did in Libya, see one thing with African Leaders is that they don't know when others are deceiving them.where did these Niger Deltas get their Arms,is from where?does it mean that the people who sold to them don't know what they want to use it for and the process involved in buying the Arms.Ohhhhh I cried for Nigeria
ReplyDeleteOsibajor, are u are aware that when koko was d main stay of d nig economy it was50/50?why now fulani/hausa and their Yoruba's brothers doesn't want 50/50? Don't u people think that D Almighty God is watching all of u. God shall show Himself to Pharaoh, and his people shall leaves Egypt.
ReplyDeleteOooo!!,problem upon problem, boko haram in the north. Militants/fulani herdsmen/in the West,nort east,south east,south south,avengers in the south south,MASSOB in the south east.Hmmm,haven't these gone round us,where are we heading.
ReplyDeleteAll of us should take heed. Things may continue like this and become worse because the end times are here. Let us all be at peace with God. Consider giving your life to Jesus Christ today and you will never regret it. ohiozei@yahoo.com
ReplyDelete...dis actions by buhari has shown dat nigeria is now a part nd soon to be a full islamic nation...it's really end time...seek refuge in Christ Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that the current administration finds it very difficult reading between the lines.
ReplyDeleteBringing Saudi mercenaries will awaken the attention of other world power(s) who have been planning the breakup of Nigeria so they can come in and take advantage of the oil.
Besides, when the war starts with the mercenaries and the militants, the MASSOB,FULANI HERDSMEN,IPOB AND BOKO HARAM will all mix up and alas! goes Nigeria apart.
Hahaha, you people are so funny, which war can Arab countries fight successfully, take a clue at Saudi in Yemen, Islamic or Arab coalition against the owners of the oil, who are more wiser and sophisticated than them. I trust those niger delta boys, The Arabs shall meet their waterloo, bringing Arabs to come and fight in nigeria as if you are fighting jihad everything you people turn it to religion, why don't you go and manage Saudi oil by force, after all you are brothers nonsense
ReplyDeleteMay God help our country
ReplyDelete