Why We Cancelled Declaration Of Niger Delta Republic – Adaka Boro Avengers

The Adaka Boro Avengers, ABA, in a statement issued by the group’s spokesperson, ‘General’ Edmos Ayayeibo, said that it has cancelled earlier plan to declare the Niger Delta territory a Republic today (Monday), however, they threatened to continue its mission to destabilize Nigeria’s economy.

They said, “We received calls from prominent leaders like Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Mrs. Ankio Briggs, Chief. E. K. Clark and especially King Alfred Diete Spiff calling on the freedom fighters to abort their mission to declare Niger Delta Republic.”

The militant group further warned the Federal Government against having any peace talk with the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, describing them as “greedy fellows” who only seek their “stipends.”

Leader of the group, ‘General’ Goddey, was quoted in the statement as saying that the anger of the group bordered on how “the Nigerian government has enslaved…the people of Niger Delta region.”

“We adhere to the voice of our people, because our struggle is for the Niger Delta people and not for selfish reason. But this is not the end. More is yet to come.

“Our mission to cripple the economy of the Nigerian nation will not stop until the Nigerian government is ready to sit on a roundtable to dialogue and to restructure the Nigeria.

“Unless that, we will not stop until Nigeria becomes a zero economy. We are also saying this for the benefit of President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerian government to stop wasting their time with those greedy fellows that call themselves MEND because nothing good will come out of them rather than sabotage.

“Those old fools cannot stop us and they know it very well. We know what they are after is all about stipends.

“Everything they are saying, not even one will be accomplished. We will never agree with anything they say and henceforth MEND should watch their back because we have tolerated them for a very long time.

“Enough is enough, since they want to set confusion in the Niger Delta we will start from them.”

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DONE DEAL: Henry, Charles Okah, Nnamdi Kanu May Be Freed As MEND, FG Strike Deal To End N-Delta Crisis

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the Federal Government have allegedly reached initial agreement, including the release of former militant leader, Henry Okah, in prison in South Africa and Charles Okah, incarcerated in Nigeria.

The agreement also includes that ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, would not be harassed by government if he makes himself available as a delegate on MEND Aaron Team 2, while the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, would be released on condition that he renounces the agitation for “Biafra Republic.”

MEND in a statement by spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, today (Saturday) said: “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.

Furthermore, MEND said they agreed: “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.”

It added: “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.

MEND asserted: “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".

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N-Delta Elders To Buhari: Dialogue With Avengers, Not MEND

The Concerned Niger Delta Elders, CNDE, in a statement by Seigha Manijar and Aureol Viviana, has warned the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government not to enter into any kind of dialogue with the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, but rather, dialogue directly with the Niger Delta Avengers or their appointees.

The group said that whatever resolution reached between the FG and NDA, would be a long lasting one thereby advising against going through MEND, it also appealed to the militants group to sheathe their swords and dialogue with the government.

“MEND should speak for itself and not for others. It can speak on behalf of the Avengers if invited to do so. MEND should not arrogate to itself the authority to speak for others outside its ranks,” the statement said, warning that negotiating with MEND instead of Avengers would have grave implications, such as conflict of interest, mistrust, non implementation of resolutions among others.

“We understand the Avengers’ demand for foreign observers in the dialogue but we appeal to them to pick their representatives from among the numerous trusted individuals from the Niger Delta such as Dr Timiebi Agary, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd), Timi Alaibe, Prof G.G Darah, Dr Otive Igbuzor, Enemo Samiama, Roland Ekperi, Wilson Ajuwa and Joel Bisina, among others."

“However, if they are not comfortable with the suggested names, they should feel free to pick their representatives. That will show the world that they are ready for dialogue. The government should also consider the Avengers’ demand of inviting foreign observers as a show of sincerity.”

On how to stem the tide of proliferation of splinter groups in the region, the statement said: “Once the Federal Government starts a genuine dialogue with the Avengers, who seem to have shown enough capacity and consistency in their acts, we believe that other groups will fall in line by absorption or coercion.”

The group also frowned at Tompolo’s willingness to be part of the negotiation saying, “Tompolo does not necessarily have to be in any negotiation team, whether it is driven by MEND or any other group. What is important is that given the right atmosphere, any group or representatives could discuss Tompolo’s plight, including Henry Okah and others. There is no doubt that Tompolo can be an asset to this government on Niger Delta crisis if well managed.”

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Niger Delta: Stop Threatening To Use Force On Us – MEND Warns Buratai

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, in a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, has warned the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Burutai against making political and provocative statements that could cause nationwide unrest.

MEND criticised the army chief over a comment credited to him that the military authorities would resort to the use of force if dialogue to resolve the current Niger-Delta crisis failed, describing it as insensitive, provocative and unprofessional.

According to Gbomo, “MEND hereby makes it clear that General Buratai’s statement is insensitive, provocative, unprofessional and prejudicial to the fair outcome of the ongoing preliminary talks regarding the Niger Delta crisis between representatives of oil companies and security agencies, on the one hand; and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), on the other hand.

“We, therefore, warn the Chief of Army Staff to guard his utterances, refrain from making political and inflammatory statements and stick to his primary responsibility.”

On its controversial dialogue with the federal government, it said, “We use this medium to appeal to the good people of the Niger Delta to remain patient with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The group urged them to “keep hope alive as MEND and the Aaron Team 2 Dialogue, Peace and Development Initiative, led by Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, and HRH King Alfred Papapreye Diette-Spiff are working assiduously to secure sustainable concessions for the region from the government.

“While MEND has already kick-started the dialogue process with the ongoing preliminary talks, the Aaron Team made up of distinguished and accomplished personalities from the region, are waiting on the sidelines to conclude the dialogue process,” it said.

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Avengers Denies BBC Interview, Says MEND Can’t Represent Militants

Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, in an exclusive online interview with Vanguard on Tuesday, stated that the Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, does not have the authorization to stand for militants in the Niger Delta struggle.

Avengers  said: “The last we did our reality check, MEND is just an internet tiger at the mercy of some criminal elements and politicians from the North and so cannot represent the Niger Delta agitation for self-determination, not to talk of offering the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) slot for any dialogue/ negotiations.”

“We do know MEND that is speaking on behalf of the APC government to undermine the Niger Delta question of self determination. MEND formed under Tompolo, has accepted amnesty in 2009, and stood disbanded from that moment.

“So there is no MEND speaking from anywhere or for the Niger Delta struggle, instead we have an internet- based MEND that is let loosed by criminal and politicians from the North to sabotage / derail the consciousness of the people of the Niger Delta,” it said.

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