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Niger Delta Avengers base not in
Egbema—Ukori As group asks Buhari to forget Tompolo and develop Niger Delta By
Emma Amaize & Perez Brisibe WARRI—THERE is anxiety in the Niger Delta as
the two-week ultimatum given owners of oil blocs in the region by Niger Delta
Avengers to evacuate their staff and shut down operations ends today, while
secret talks with the militant group have run into a hitch.
The militant group in a statement by
its spokesperson, Col Murdoch Agbinibo on May 12, gave the former Minister of
Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (retd), former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar and other declared oil bloc owners two weeks to shut down operations
or have themselves to blame.
Meanwhile, alleged talks between the Federal
Government and an intermediary of Niger Delta Avengers on how to end
hostilities in the region by the militant group have collapsed, while security
agencies have allegedly concluded plans to infiltrate the meeting of Ijaw
youths today in Warri to take a collective position on the Niger Delta Avengers.
A security source told our reporter:
“All security operatives in the country are currently on their toes following
security reports that the Niger Delta Avengers has promised to resume
hostilities after the expiration of its two-week ultimatum.” Niger Delta
Avengers not based in Egbema Militants Militants This came as the people of
Egbema ethnic nationality in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State
have refuted media reports that the new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers
has its base in Egbema Kingdom, saying there was no iota of truth in the said
publication. Egbema people in a statement by Mr. Jude Ukori, yesterday, said
whoever, said the base of the Niger Delta Avengers was in Egbema Kingdom should
identify the location.
He noted that despite the fact that
they were not getting benefits politically and economically from successive
government as a major oil producing kingdom, they will never resort to unlawful
acts. According to him, “The author of the story could have at least mentioned one
of the communities in Egbema Kingdom where such a base was situated. Since he
failed to mention any, the publication was a wild allegation generated by
criminals and mischievous persons in an attempt to drag the good name of Egbema
people to the mud.”
Also, Niger Delta Peace Movement in
Delta State, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to disregard the accusation
by self-acclaimed whistle blowers that ex-militant leader, Government
Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, was behind the Niger Delta Avengers and explore a
pragmatic solution to develop Niger Delta. Buhari being misinformed A statement
by its president, Mr. Tonfa Cyprian, said:
“These informants are misinforming
Mr. President out of hatred for Tompolo and their bid to curry favour from him
for their personal aggrandizement, but Mr. President can end the resurgence of
militancy if he makes development of the region his priority. “From careful
observation of the pattern of attack by the militants’ on oil installations, it
is obvious that it will be very difficult to contain their operations with
force because they are very conversant with the terrain. The weapon to use is
not force but development.
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