The current peace talks between the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, and the Federal Government aimed at ending the militancy in the Niger Delta region have achieved far-reaching compromises.
The common ground so far attained in the dialogue, taking place through oil companies and security agencies, includes the release of former militant leader, Henry Okah, in prison in South Africa and Charles Okah, held in Nigeria.
It was also agreed that the ex-MEND commander, Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, will not be arrested or intimidated by government if he shows up as a delegate on MEND Aaron Team 2, while the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, and those detained with him would be released on condition that they renounce the agitation for the Republic of Biafra.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, MEND announced other breakthroughs in the discussions that it said will soon end the agitations in the South-South and South-East regions of the country. It however pointed out that there is still room for the unyielding Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, to embrace peace failing which a combination of military forces and volunteers in the region would fish them out.
The statement reads, “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is the only militant group from the Niger Delta region who are presently engaged in a dialogue with the Federal Government of Nigeria – through oil companies and security agencies -with a view to resolving the current Niger Delta crisis.”
“Thus far, the deliberations have been fruitful, various concessions and guarantees have already been secured. Some of which include, but are not limited to: Release of Henry Okah, Charles Okah and Obi Nwabueze; Review of the life sentence handed to Mr. Edmund Ebiware based on a proposal put forward by the Aaron Team representative for Abia and Imo states, Senator Adolphus Wabara.
“Also, conditional release of IPOB leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu and others if they renounce their agitation for a “Biafra Republic,” the group said.
MEND further revealed that it was agreed that: “That Mr. Government Ekpemupolo shall not be arrested, harassed and/or intimidated whenever he makes himself available as a delegate of the MEND Aaron Team.”
The statement reads, “That international arbitrator and conflict negotiator, American Dr. Judith Asuni shall be accepted as the representative of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) on the MEND Aaron Team; that the criminal charges against Urhobo freedom fighter, Mr. Kelvin Prosper Oniarah shall be reviewed.
“That the life sentence which was handed to seven soldiers in 2008, who actively supported the Niger Delta struggle be reviewed under the Presidential Amnesty Programme. The affected persons are: Suleiman Alabi Akubo, Major. Mathias Peter, SGT, Alexander Davou, L.Cpl., Moses Nwaigwe, L.Cpl., Nnandi Anene, L.Cpl. Taatihi Emmanuel, L.Cpl and Caleb Bawa, PTE,” it said. . “However, one of the most immediate and urgent fallout of the ongoing dialogue is the imperative for the Federal Government and MEND to jointly and separately take proactive steps to rescue and secure the region. This is in the event that the recalcitrant Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) continuing on its senseless and politically-motivated path of attacks on the country’s oil assets,” it noted.
“To this end, both parties agreed that the Special Forces of the Nigerian Army should commence the purely routine but strategic military exercise code-named “Operation Crocodile Tears”; while MEND would commence a meet-the Government-Actors-and-People tour of the Niger Delta region code-named “Operation Moses,” MEND stated.
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