Some South-South leaders under the auspices of Concerned Niger Delta Leaders have stated that the recent spate of attacks on the nation’s oil facilities by the militant Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, were not only unacceptable to the Federal Government but also to the people of the area.
National Coordinator of the group, Chief Mike Loyibo, who addressed journalists alongside a former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Ebebi Peremobowei, at a press conference in Abuja, described the activities of the NDA as criminal, stressing that they are targeted at destroying the heritage of the people of the region.
“We have for some time watched with utmost dismay the manner in which the Niger Delta Avengers, a group with an aimless agenda, has been destroying our common heritage and the economic mainstay of the country through the vandalisation of critical government infrastructure and oil installations,” he said.
Noting that the agenda of the group was not clear, Loyibo maintained that their actions have threatened the unity of the country and should be condemned by all well-meaning stakeholders.
Other members of the group are a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Francis Tabai, former Military Administrator of the Old Bendel State, Gen. John Yeri, the First Military Administrator of Rivers State and His majesty, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, Alfred Diete-Spiff.
The Niger Delta leaders pleaded with the group to lay down their arms as no developmental effort could yield any positive result in an environment of violence, adding that they were in support of the decisive steps being taken by President Muhammadu Buhari to prevent vandals from sabotaging the efforts of the government to bring development to the oil rich region.
The group, however, urged the military to carry out the ongoing operation to fish out the members of the group with caution as the last operation in Gbaramatu resulted in the suffering of innocent people including children, the aged and women.
It also called on the President to provide critical infrastructure to the area, give serious consideration to the region in the next round of political appointments and also ensure the commencement of academic activities at the Maritime University, Okerenkoko.
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