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Tag: MEND

  • Avengers: MEND urges Fed Govt to ignore Clark, Okowa, others

    Avengers: MEND urges Fed Govt to ignore Clark, Okowa, others

    The Chief Edwin Clark-led group of elders has drawn the ire of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) for not condemning the Niger Diger Delta Avengers (NDA), which it last Friday asked to stop blowing up oil installations.

    MEND urged the Federal Government to ignore the Clark group for failing to condemn what it called the “criminal and treasonable activities of NDA”.

    On Saturday night, NDA, while reacting to the group’s plea, said it was in support of “genuine Niger Delta stakeholders conference to engage the Federal Government” on the issues affecting the region.

    In an online statement by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, yesterday, MEND said it was in support of the ongoing military operations in the Niger Delta to flush out the Avengers.

    It condemened the meeting of the representatives of Niger Delta Coastal States held last Friday in Warri, Delta State, which was jointly convened by Clark and Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    MEND urged the Muhammadu Buhari administration to ignore the communique issued after the  meeting, saying: “The communique fails to categorically condemn the criminal and treasonable activities of the NDA. This is principally because the notable promoter of the meeting, Chief Edwin Clark, was recently named by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) as a major supporter of the NDA.

    “Chief Clark lacks the moral authority to lead a discussion on the so-called ‘re-structuring’ of the Nigerian federation at this critical point in the country’s history, given the fact that throughout the six years his ‘son’, former President Goodluck Jonathan was in power, the elder statesman kept mute and actively participated in the economic dismemberment of Nigeria. In fact, Chief Clark’s Abuja residence was an extension of the State House.

    “None of the persons who attended the stakeholders’ meeting convened by Chief Clark and Governor Okowa has the capacity to persuade the people of the Niger Delta region to support the current efforts of the Buhari Administration to bring peace and development to the region.”

    MEND said its members were prepared to tour the Niger Delta to drum up support for the Buhari administration, in an exercise code-named “Operation Moses”.

    NDA, which expressed its readiness to dialogue with the Federal Government, passed a vote of confidence in the Clark group.

    It said it would continue with the unilateral ceasefire it adopted before the region’s leaders and elders call and wait for the outcome of the talks.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, NDA advised the Clark group that would be talking with the government to take the situation in the region with all seriousness, adding that if the option fails, it would return to attacking public facilities.

    It asked the government and its agents not to further provoke hostility in the region by using the military to invade communities, especially in the Ijaw axis, threatening to fight back.

    “We are going to support any collective/negotiation team emerging from the Chief (Dr.) Papa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders conference to engage with the government, representatives from the home countries of all multinational oil corporations and neutral international mediators that will be focused on achieving the short, medium and long term frameworks and objectives to de-escalate conflicts in the Niger Delta.

    “Most of the frameworks and objectives are clearly stated in various reports, declarations and recommendations of the likes of the Sir Henry Willinks minority rights reports of pre-independence Nigeria (1957-8), the Kaiama Declaration document, the Gen. Alexander Ogomudia report, the Ledum Mittee-led Niger Delta Technical Committee report and restructuring to fiscal federalism.

    “We have resolved to reject any idea of the peace of our time; we want the peace with honour this time around! Our advice to our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders is that, whenever this project called Nigeria and her government is ready for dialogue/negotiations with them, this mandate should be treated with the care that driving a truck laden with fire requires.

    “We are going to continue the observation of our unannounced cessation of hostilities in the Niger Delta against all interests of the multinational oil corporations, but we will continuously adopt our asymmetric warfare during this period, if the government continues to use security agencies/agents, formations and politicians to arrest, intimidate, invade and harass innocent citizens, suspected NDA members and invade especially Ijaw communities.

    “We promise to fight more for the Niger Delta, if this opportunity fails. Therefore, we will give our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders that tacit support to the dialogue table with the government and the multinational oil corporations whenever the enabling environment prevails,” the statement said.

    The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has hailed the NDA’s decision to opt for dialogue and urged the government to accept the offer in good faith.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Eric Omare, the IYC urged the government to ensure that the dialogue deals with the core issues keeping the region “perpetually in a state of conflict”.

    “The Ijaw Youth Council has always advocated dialogue as the means to the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis. As a result we welcome the conditional declaration of ceasefire by the Niger Delta Avengers if it is actually from them. We call on the government, especially President Buhari, to take advantage of this ceasefire to aggressively dialogue with the people of the region to address the issues affecting the region.

    “For the umpteenth time, we call for a bipartisan and sincere dialogue to resolve the root causes of the recurrent Niger Delta crisis. The dialogue should be issue-based and not to solve immediate problems and massage the ego of personalities. President Buhari must avoid listening to political hawks around him at the expense of the country’s unity and development,” the statement said.

  • Kanu willing to renounce Biafra for freedom, says MEND

    Kanu willing to renounce Biafra for freedom, says MEND

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has said the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is willing to renounce Biafra in secret in exchange for his freedom.

    The militant group said it (MEND) and the Federal Government rejected what he called Kanu’s “hypocrisy” of remaining defiant in public while accepting to secretly renounce secession from Nigeria.

    in an online statement yesterday through its spokesperson Jomo Gbomo, MEND condemned the alleged provocative and hypocritical statements by IPOB and Kanu, purporting to dissociate themselves from some of the concessions so far secured by the militant group in the dialogue between it and the Federal Government.

    The militant group said the discussions were aimed at resolving the current Niger Delta crisis.

    The statement said: “MEND hereby uses this opportunity to inform the world that following the group’s negotiations with the Federal Government, Nnamdi Kanu has made it clear that he is willing to renounce ‘Biafra’ in secret in exchange for his freedom. MEND and the Federal Government have, however, flatly rejected the IPOB/Kanu hypocrisy to remain defiant in public, while accepting to secretly renounce secession.

    “MEND urges the already frustrated and desperate Mr. Kanu and IPOB to swallow their pride and make a public denunciation of ‘Biafra’ so that the gullible donors and followers, deceived by the illusion of a ‘Biafra Republic’ which aims to annex the Niger Delta region as part of its territory, shall become fully aware that the so-called ‘Biafra Republic’ is merely a business venture and scam whose sole beneficiaries are Kanu, directors of IPOB, their families and cronies.”

    Despite the peace efforts, members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other militant groups are still bombing crude oil and gas pipelines as well as other installations of oil companies in the region.

     

  • Igbo group, IPOB, disowns MEND, Avengers

    Igbo group, IPOB, disowns MEND, Avengers

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by detained  Nnamdi Kanu, yesterday disowned the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), both of which have been linking their own agitations to Kanu’s incarceration.

    It said it  has “no connection, contact, ties or any kind of relationship” with MEND and NDA.

    Kanu, speaking though his lawyers in Abuja, also expressed his willingness  to negotiate with the Federal Government.

    The lawyers, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Amoebi Nzelu said that  Kanu is prepared to accept a political solution in line with his belief that he is a political prisoner of conscience.

    Kanu and two of his associates – Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi (a field maintenance engineer with MTN) –  are  currently being held in Kuje prison, Abuja, following their arraigment before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    They were arraigned in January of this year on a six-count charge of treasonable felony, running an unlawful organisation, plotting to level war against the country, illegal possession of firearms and unlawful importation of a transmitter to run their illegal radio station – Radio Biafra.

    They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    However, Ejiofor and Nzelu told reporters yesterday that  their client was not opposed to talks with the government.

    They spoke against the backdrop of report that the Federal Government  had directed the release of some members of the group arrested in February this year during a protest rally.

    They said:”Nnamdi Kanu is not averse to political solution in resolving his present politically orchestrated ordeal.

    “He welcomes genuine political solution to this case. Nnamdi Kanu has people of proven integrity and impeccable character that will negotiate on his behalf, based on his demands when communication on this effect is established,” Ejiofor said.

    On the claims that MEND was negotiating on behalf of Kanu and IPOB, the lawyer said, “In the past few days, the media was awash with news on negotiation going on between the Federal Government and members of MEND, where our client’s name (Nnamdi Kanu) conspicuously featured.

    “It is on that note that we wish to inform the general public that Nnamdi Kanu has no connection, contact, ties or any kind of relationship with members of MEND.

    “As such, MEND has no implied, direct or express authority of Nnamdi Kanu to represent him or IPOB in any purported negotiation going on between MEND and the Federal Government.

    “The general public is accordingly advised to ignore, discountenance and disregard the falsehood been peddled by MEND,” said Mr. Ejiofor.

    Responding to a question on whether Kanu would abandon his campaign for an independent state of Biafra in exchange for freedom, Nzelu said that his client would not jettison the agitation even if he was released.

    He also said that Kanu has no ties with the Avengers.

    “It is not easy to drop an ideology. IPOB is bigger than Nnamdi Kanu. Self-determination is as a result of marginalisation,” he said.

    The Niger Delta Avengers have, however, denied ever negotiating with the Federal Government on behalf of Kanu, adding that they have only made calls to the government for his release. In a chat with The Nation, a spokesperson of the group said: ” Avengers have never negotiated with the FG on behalf  of Kanu. We have only called for his unconditional release and also asked the Federal Government to come out clear about the negotiation.

    “We are fighting for restructuring of the country in a honourable way. The vision of Avengers and IPOB  is to have a  nation of theirs . This is totally different from what MEND stands for. MEND has no right to negotiate with the government on Kanu’s behalf because they don’t share the same vision with them.”

  • MEND chieftains out to kill me, says Jonathan

    MEND chieftains out to kill me, says Jonathan

    Ex-President, Wike, IYC disown Avengers

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is still plotting to assassinate him, just as he denied being a sponsor of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    He spoke four days after he declared in Abuja during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari that there is no alternative to Nigeria’s unity.

    Jonathan was at the Presidential Villa on August 3, two days after the NDA’s botched attempt to declare Niger Delta Republic in Kaiama, Bayelsa State.

    In a statement in Abuja by his media aide Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said he was responding to the claims that he is a sponsor of NDA “to the extent that the group’s hidden intent poses a violent threat” to his life.

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide also dismissed claims that they were behind NDA, which has been bombing oil installations and platforms in Niger Delta.

    Jonathan’s statement reads: “For the avoidance of doubt, we are fully convinced that such an idiotic claim is too cheap a narrative, a facile contrivance so badly concocted that any discerning mind would easily see through its disingenuous and duplicitous nature.

    “We are also not bothered by this baseless accusation, contented that we are not the only ones conversant with Jonathan’s widely-acknowledged sincere disposition to peace, non-violence and better human community.

    “We are, however, seized by the feeling of déjà vu occasioned by the resurrection of one dim character masquerading as ‘Cynthia White’, who had in the past served as the spokesperson for a notorious group that had all along shown its hand to be going after the life of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

    “Nigerians could recall that in 2007 when Jonathan emerged as the running mate to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in the People’s Democratic Party during that year’s presidential election, this very group invaded Yenagoa with hundreds of militants in an effort to assassinate him. Jonathan was only saved then by the spirited efforts of the combined forces of determined security men, who gallantly repelled the attack.

    “Let us also not forget that members of this same group later invaded and bombed Jonathan’s compound in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, on a night he was scheduled to attend to an important matter in his country home. He was only saved by the grace of God, who in His infinite mercy created intervening factors that prevented Jonathan from sleeping in his country home that night.

    “Do we need to remind anybody that the so-called Cynthia White is the self declared spokesperson MEND, a violent and murderous underground group led by one Henry Okah, which has not hidden its intention to destroy the former President?

    “The unfortunate event of 1st October 2010 in Abuja at the Eagle Square during the Independence Day celebrations for that year, being presided over by the former President, bears out this conviction. It would be recalled that after an attempt to bomb the venue, with the mind of assassinating Jonathan and possibly other high profile local and international dignitaries in attendance, was thwarted by tight security deployment, the terrorists detonated their bombs in other parts of Abuja, resulting in the death of many innocent Nigerians. It is no secret that following that incident, Okah, the leader of MEND was arrested, tried, convicted and jailed in South Africa over terrorism charges by the security authorities of that country. He remains in a South African prison till date while his associates in Nigeria are still being held in Kuje prison, Abuja.

    “We, therefore, have no doubt in our mind that MEND, as a group contracted to go after Jonathan with the mind of assassinating him, is yet to abandon this criminal and ignominious craving. It is in this light that we view the purported statement issued by ‘Cynthia White’ as not only a sadistic continuation of this sick desire, but also a futile attempt to instigate the Federal Government to needlessly go after the former President.

    “Those who have been following the unsavoury developments in some parts of the country since the last general elections, especially the ones that held in the Southsouth states, would have noticed that the nefarious MEND, their pay masters and other unscrupulous elements in the region, have been striving fruitlessly to exploit the ensuing confusion, by surreptitiously working for the fulfilment of its yet-to-be declared political agenda. It is our considered view that the statement in question is an off-shoot of that ignoble plan; this time plotting to rubbish and torpedo the ongoing peace efforts in the region.

    “While we believe that God Almighty would continue to protect the former President against the evil machinations of these undesirable elements, we wish to also point out that Jonathan is prepared to do anything within the limit of our laws to ensure that he enjoys a well-deserved peaceful post-presidential life without any hindrance.

    “We are not under any illusion that more accusations and allegations of this nature would not be hurled Jonathan’s way in the future, especially as his enemies appear to have perfected the act of throwing mud each time his profile gains added impetus and acclaim. But we are very positive that he can never be fazed by such negative energy. Like the eagle, Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan will continue to soar over his traducers.”

  • IPOB rejects MEND deal on Kanu’s release

    IPOB rejects MEND deal on Kanu’s release

    The Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), yesterday flashed agitators for Niger Delta Republic the red card, saying there is no room for their plan in the country.

    ODS Commander Rear Admiral Joseph Okogie told the Adaka Boro Avengers (ABA), which is pushing for the republic, that the JTF would crush any separatist tendency.

    Also yesterday, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) distanced itself from the talks between the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and some Federal Government agents to end militancy in the Niger Delta and agitations for a separate country in the Southeast.

    The group declared that its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu would not renounce the agitation for Biafra for his freedom.

    Okogie spoke after a five-hour meeting with component commanders of the ODS at the outfit’s headquarters in Igbogene in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    ABA caused a stir in the region, following its threat to declare Niger Delta Republic at the Kaiama home of the late Ijaw icon Isaac Adaka Boro, in Kolokuma-Opokuma area of the state last Monday.

    IPOB, in a statement, by its spokesman, Emma Nmezu, and another official, Dr. Clifford Chukwuemeka Iroanya, said: “It is understandable that MEND and the federal government are scavenging for relevance from their moribund status but they should not use the sacred name of IPOB or its leader as a means of survival.

    “MEND and the federal government can conveniently carry out their operation without dragging the name of IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu into that shenanigan, as we are not interested in their devilish acts.

    “IPOB and their leader Mazi Kanu are in full support of any group of dedicated and hardcore freedom fighters such as the Niger Delta Avengers [NDA], as we share the same aspiration which is the liberation of our people.

    “We have stated unequivocally and without any fear of contradiction that we are fully in support of the NDA as they embark on freeing themselves from the British criminality called Nigeria, a contraption led by a man that committed treason on December 31, 1983.

    “What MEND and federal government must know is that Biafra is a spirit because Nnamdi Kanu, by the grace of God, brought spirituality into the agitation for Biafra independence.

    “The fact that many people claiming to be fighting for the interest of the people has sold out in the past or that the so called elites engaged in the mortgaging of their soul to the devil does not mean the emergence of clean, conscientious and patriotic Biafrans is no longer possible.”

    ”A lot of people thought the agitation for Biafra was dead before the emergence of Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB, one thing remains certain things can never be the same after this. We assert that IPOB is not in the business of betrayal and we would die rather than renounce Biafra.

    “The restoration of the nation of Biafra is not subject to negotiation, if there should be any form of negotiation at all, it must be centered on asset sharing between Nigeria and Biafra and on the payment of reparations for money stolen from Biafrans by Nigeria through the 1970 twenty pounds deal and other subsequent acts of thievery by Nigeria against Biafrans.

    “We want to make it categorically clear that MEND and the federal government are strictly on their own and do not in any way, shape or form represents IPOB or the leader of IPOB, Mazi Kanu, when we say

    “Biafra or Death”, and we meant every syllable of that phrase.

    “Again, we reiterate that Nnamdi Kanu is not Ralph Uwazuruike and IPOB is not MASSOB. Therefore, anybody thinking that our leader will renounce Biafra is certifiably mad. For both IPOB and their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, it is either we get Biafra or we die getting Biafra.

    There is no middle ground”.

    ”MEND and the federal government team of fake negotiators are hereby warned to desist from deceiving the public with their misinformation and betrayal of the Biafran cause”

     

     

  • MEND: FG agrees to free Nnamdi Kanu, Okah brothers, others

    MEND: FG agrees to free Nnamdi Kanu, Okah brothers, others

    •Presidency awaits report of agreement
    •Defence minister in Bayelsa, says military option possible…if

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) announced yesterday it had reached an agreement with the federal government on the release of Henry Okah, his younger brother Charles and Obi Nwabueze as well as Nnamdi Kanu and other Biafra agitators, on the condition that they renounce their campaign.

    The group, in an update on its peace talks with government, said freedom was also on the way for Edmund Ebiware who is currently serving a life sentence.

    Spokesman for President Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Garba Shehu said last night that the Presidency was yet to receive report of the agreement, while Defence Minister Mansur Dan-Alli, on a visit to Bayelsa State, could not rule out force against recalcitrant militants if dialogue fails

    MEND in an online statement yesterday by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said “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, conditional release of IPOB leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu and others, if they renounced their agitation for a Biafra Republic.”

    Henry Okah, a MEND leader, is currently serving a jail term in South Africa for illegal gun running while Charles Okah is in prison custody from where he is standing trial in connection with the 2010 Independence Day bobming in Abuja.

    Kanu, on the other hand is remanded in prison by a court which is trying him for treason related charges.

    MEND added yesterday that its agreement with government stipulates that wanted  Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo, ex-militant leader from Delta State)  “shall not be arrested, harassed and/or intimidated whenever he makes himself available as a delegate of the MEND Aaron Team 2.

    “That international arbitrator and conflict negotiator, American Dr. Judith Asuni shall be accepted as the representative of the Niger Delta Avengers 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 in 2008 to seven soldiers, 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.”

    The group said  it  and government  “will jointly and separately take proactive steps to rescue and secure the region in the event that the recalcitrant Niger Delta Avengers continue on their senseless and politically-motivated path of attacks on the country’s oil assets.

    “To this end, both parties (MEND’s Aaron Team 2 and the Federal Government) 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 will commence a meet-the government-actors-and-people tour of the Niger Delta region, code-named ‘Operation Moses.’

    “While ‘Operation Crocodile Tears’ is aimed at ensuring the combat readiness of the Nigerian Army in amphibious and internal security operations in the Niger Delta, as well as check criminal activities like kidnapping, pipeline vandalism, piracy and other forms of criminal activities spearheaded by the NDA in the region, MEND’s ‘Operation Moses’ is essentially to inform, educate and generally sensitise the citizenry in the Niger Delta, particularly the government, the youths, oil companies, elders and militant community on the need to ceasefire and support the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in its determined bid to proffer sustainable solutions to the current Niger Delta crisis.”

    It urged all states, local governments, oil and gas companies and law-abiding citizens in the Niger Delta to “go about their lawful and legitimate concerns, without any iota of fear, stressing that it had received firm assurances from the Federal Government that ‘Operation Crocodile Tears’ was an innocuous exercise in the national interest.

    It said  its ‘Operation Moses’ would be anchored by the Aaron Team 2 Dialogue, Peace and Development Initiative, jointly led by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia, SAN and King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass in Bayelsa State.

    The militant group said: “Operation Moses shall commence with a visit by the distinguished members of the Aaron Team 2 to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja between August 22, 2016 and August 26, 2016.

    “Thereafter, the Team shall hold sessions with top executives of major indigenous and international oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on August 29 and 30, 2016 in Abuja. The focus of the sessions shall include local content development, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/host community relations, etc.

    “On September 5 and 6, 2016 in Abuja, the MEND Aaron Team shall hold sessions with the top echelon of security agencies in Nigeria and the top management of the intervention agencies in the Niger Delta: Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Presidential Amnesty Office. The Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation is expected to personally attend these sessions. The focus of the sessions shall include extension of presidential amnesty to certain categories of political prisoners in Nigeria, fundamental human rights, NDDC Act in focus; Presidential Amnesty Proclamation 2009 in focus; collapse of federal infrastructure in the Niger Delta, Calabar-Lagos rail line and the East-West Road among others.

    “After these critical sessions, Operation Moses shall move to tour the nine states in the Niger Delta region, commencing with Rivers State between September 12, 2016 and September 14, 2016. Between September 15, 2016 and September 18, 2016, the Aaron Team shall be in Bayelsa state. Between September19, 2016 and September 21, 2016, the team shall be in Delta state. From Thursday, September 22, 2016 to Sunday, September 25, 2016 the Aaron Team shall be in Akwa Ibom State. Between September 26, 2016 and September 29, 2016, the team shall be in Abia and Imo States and finally between October 3, 2016 and October 7, 2016, the Aaron Team shall be in Edo and Ondo States.”

    Asked to react to the development yesterday , Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “I know that the National Security Adviser, Gen. Babagana Monguno and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu are involved in talks with Niger Delta groups.

    “But as I speak with you,  the  National Security Adviser is yet to receive any copy of the agreement . I am yet to establish contact with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources to find out the update at his end.”

    However, Defence Minister Mansur Dan-Alli  on a visit to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital declared that the Federal Government could not  rule out force against the Niger Delta Avengers should  peaceful dialogue fail.

    Dan-Alli, a retired army general  was on  a courtesy visit to Deputy Governor Gboribiogha Jonah,a retired  Rear Admiral.

    The minister who was accompanied by the  Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin and the Commander, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie said his visit was to assess the operational capability of the armed forces in the zone.

    He said: “One of the cardinal objectives that brought us here is to look for peace. But we are also preparing in case the peace and negotiations are not favourable.

    “We are also on our own side making all the necessary security arrangements so that there will be peace in the Niger Delta.”

    When reminded of recent statement credited to the military that they could not rule out the use of force if the current peace process with the Avengers failed, the minister reiterated, ‘We cannot rule it (force) out’.

    When told that there would be collateral damage if the military declared war on the militants,  Dan-Alli said :”We are not saying that we are going to war; we are doing internal security work and internal security work is not war, and so you cannot start claiming collateral damage.

    “We know our rules of engagement, we cannot use forces like that without any mandate.  So, collateral damage does not come in here. As far as I am concerned, we are just trying to stop criminality in this general area.”

    On his part, Olonishakin said the military has a constitutional duty to ensure that there is peace.He advised  those destroying the country’s critical infrastructure to put on their thinking cap and come to the negotiation table.

    The CDS said: “We have allowed truce to ensure that whoever that wants to come to talk can be given the opportunity, then while giving the opportunity, we also ensuring that our troops are in position to make sure that the truce is well implemented.

    “However, we want to tell those who are sabotaging the critical infrastructure that they have to put on their reasoning cap and ensure that they come to the negotiation table and discuss.”

     

     

     

  • MEND backs peace talks

    MEND backs peace talks

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is backing the Federal Government’s decision not to  negotiate with the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and others masquerading as freedom fighters in the crude oil and gas-rich region.

    The militant group has begun preliminary talks with the government to ensure peace in the Niger Delta.

    MEND, in an online statement through its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, yesterday said that the preliminary talks with the Federal Government were through oil companies and law-enforcement agencies, which it noted was revealed by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 21.

    MEND said: “These preliminary talks are the precursor to a wider dialogue between the Federal Government and the MEND Aaron 2 peace initiative, which will seek to find solutions to the short, medium and long-term future of the Niger Delta region.

    “The Federal Government made it clear during our meetings that a negotiation with criminals is out of the question.

    “The Niger Delta Avengers and Internet-based ‘militant’ groups, such as Joint Revolutionary Council and Ultimate Warriors – Ijaw opportunistic tribal assemblies – that were compromised to keep silent during the six years of Goodluck Jonathan’s misrule and neglect; pirates; pipeline vandals; oil thieves; commercial kidnappers; waterway robbers; political thugs and miscreants all fall under this category.”

    The militant group (MEND) had earlier released the final list of members of its Aaron Team 2 for dialogue, peace and development initiative that would find sustainable solutions to the Niger Delta crisis.

    Members of the apolitical team include Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN (Rivers – Team Leader); King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass (Bayelsa – Deputy Team Leader/representative of the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group – NDDCG), Senator Florence Ita-Giwa (Cross River – representative of all aggrieved militant groups and communities from the Bakassi axis; Ledum Mitee (Rivers); Senator Adolphus Wabara (Abia – representative of oil-bearing communities in Abia and Imo states); High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo (Delta); Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom); Alfred Isename (Edo); and Timipa Jenkins Okponipere (Bayelsa – Team Secretary).

    It described the leader of the team (Ajumogobia), who is an ex-Minister of State for Petroleum as a man of unblemished proven record, character, integrity and widely respected throughout the Niger Delta, especially for appreciating the problems and challenges facing the region.

    MEND said: “High Chief Government Ekpemupolo’s inclusion in the final list is principally because of the key role he continues to play in the Niger Delta as a notable ex-militant leader, philanthropist, traditional title holder and mobiliser of amazing capacity. It will be

    counter productive if the Federal Government ignores such an individual, who may be capable of talking to the militants in the creeks to cease fire.

    “We are very much aware of the pending criminal charges filed against Government Ekpemupolo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). However, we strongly advise that the charges be suspended, until after the conclusion of the Aaron Team assignment. This is to ensure that Ekpemupolo devotes his time, energy and resources towards the resolution of the current Niger Delta crisis, without any fear of arrest, intimidation or harassment.

    “The MEND Aaron Team 2 dialogue and peace initiative would not have materialised, if not for the tireless work and support of the Okah brothers – Henry and Charles – who are currently in prisons in South Africa and Nigeria.

  • MEND gives FG 2 weeks to open talks with Tompolo, others

    MEND gives FG 2 weeks to open talks with Tompolo, others

    •Asks govt to begin dialogue with its Aaron Team, Tompolo
    •Rejects negotiation involving NSA
    • Says Avengers are criminals

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to commence dialogue with its “Aaron Team,” including a repentant militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, to end the bombing of oil installations and Niger Delta militancy.

    It, however, declared that the dialogue must not be coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), since most of the issues surrounding the Niger Delta question were on the exclusive legislative list and the proposed dialogue was not an interrogatory session.

    MEND described members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) as criminals, who had been holding the Federal Government to ransom and forcing concessions.

    The NDA members, according to MEND, also engage in militancy for their own personal aggrandizement.

    The militant group (MEND) stated these yesterday in an online statement by its Spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo.

    It expressed displeasure that successive governments and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the crude oil and gas-rich Niger Delta had repeatedly reneged on agreements entered into with the people of the region and also owing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) billions of naira in withheld funds.

    MEND said: “Government is at liberty to negotiate with arm-twisting unions and criminal groups like the NDA, so long as such negotiations are done in the national interest.

    “MEND is not opposed to government’s plan to negotiate with the recalcitrant NDA through the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA). Government must, however, not delude itself into thinking that negotiation with the NDA was tied to the resolution of the Niger Delta question.

    “Negotiation with NDA is merely a temporary respite, as another opportunistic group is lurking in the shadows, but dialogue and resolution of the Niger Delta question will be a sustainable solution for all stakeholders.”

    It added that, “MEND had repeatedly reiterated that the Niger Delta struggle was beyond attacks on oil installations. In fact, destruction of oil and gas pipelines is an elementary course in guerilla warfare, which can be carried out by any militant group.”

    The group also stated that it (MEND) stopped attacks on oil installations more than two years ago, when the group unilaterally declared a ceasefire of hostilities on May 30, 2014 against Nigeria’s key economic and strategic interests.

    It noted that since it declared ceasefire, it had relentlessly sought to engage the Federal Government in a sincere dialogue on the release of those it described as “Prisoners of Conscience,” including Henry and Charles Okah, as well as addressing the root issues bedeviling the Niger Delta, without success.

    MEND stated that on January 6, 2015, when it realised that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, an indigene of Otuoke in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State, was not interested in dialogue on the Niger Delta question, the group endorsed Muhammadu Buhari as its candidate in the 2015 presidential election; in the belief that President Buhari would sincerely welcome dialogue.

    The militant group said: “There is a marked distinction between negotiation with criminals and fraudsters who force concessions from government, using the strategy of attacks on oil installations, on the one hand; and dialogue with genuine militant groups, such as MEND, who are committed to meaningfully engage government on the vexed Niger Delta question, on the other hand.

    “While the former (NDA members) engage in militancy for their own personal aggrandizement, the latter (MEND members) are patriots, who are fighting a just cause and are equally desirous of peace, stability and development of the Niger Delta region for the common good.

    “As unfolding events in Nigeria have since revealed, the major challenge of President Buhari’s government lies in its inability to distinguish between negotiation with criminal elements such as the NDA, who are sabotaging the nation’s economy and whose demands range from the mundane to the outright ridiculous and dialogue on the Niger Delta question with a serious-minded group such as MEND.

    “The way and manner criminal gangs, such as the NDA, hold government to ransom and force concessions, is exactly the same way and manner pressure groups such as PENGASSAN, NUPENG or even the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) often times hold government to ransom, regardless of the risks posed by their actions to the national economy and to the lives of ordinary Nigerians. The only difference is that NDA ups the ante with its senseless and unprovoked attacks on oil installations.”

    MEND faulted the stance of some Niger Delta leaders and called on President Buhari to refrain from being deceived by the recent visit of the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, to the Presidential Villa, under the pretext of a hurriedly-formed Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group (NDDCG).

    The group said: “Throughout the six-year tragic reign of former President Goodluck Jonathan, King Diette-Spiff said or did nothing on record to draw the attention of the former President to the resolution of the Niger Delta question. He and other elders and elite of the region, including Chief Edwin Clark, certain ex- militants, tribal assemblies such as the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and a coterie of so-called Niger Delta activists embarrassingly kept mute and turned a blind eye during the six years of colossal waste, unmitigated corruption, monumental fraud in the unsustainable amnesty programme, environmental decay and neglect, infrastructural stagnation such as the wicked and criminal abandonment of the East-West Road project, among others.

    “Regardless of the fact that there is a consensus of opinion that the Federal Government is not sincere about the kind of dialogue advocated by MEND, the group has nevertheless named an Aaron Team, comprising the following persons: Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN (Rivers)-Team Leader, Bismark Jemide Rewane (Delta)-awaiting re-confirmation, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa (Cross River), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Delta)-awaiting  confirmation, Ledum Mitee Esq. (Rivers), Lawson Omokhodion (Edo), Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom), Senator Adolphus Wabara (Abia), Alfred Isename (Edo) and Timipa Jenkins Okponipere Esq. (Bayelsa)-Team Secretary.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the MEND’s Aaron Team shall not dialogue with the NSA, given that the office of the NSA lacks executive power.”

    The militant group also hoped that the Federal Government would reach out to the Aaron Team Leader (Ajumogobia), to signal government’s intention to commence the dialogue.

    MEND added that if after the two-week ultimatum and it did not hear from the Federal

    Government, the militant group would assume that the Buhari’s administration was truly not sincere about dialogue on the Niger Delta question, but would prefer to respond only to the threat of violence or industrial action.

  • I have no link with MEND, Avengers – Ajumogobia

    A former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia ( SAN), on Wednesday  said he has no link with the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta ( MEND) or any violent group in the region.

    The ex-minister said he did not offer to be part of negotiations with the Federal Government to stop attacks on oil installations on behalf of the perpetrators who belong to Niger Delta Avengers.

    He said he does not know the alleged perpetrators not to talk of negotiating on their behalf.

    Ajumogobia, who made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja, said he is not affiliated to any insurgent group.

    The statement said: “My attention has been drawn to widespread reports in the media claiming that I have agreed to participate in negotiations with the Federal Government over the issue of attacks against oil installations in the Niger Delta on behalf of some of the alleged perpetrators of these actions or connected persons. This is not so.

    “I wish to make it absolutely clear that I do not know the alleged perpetrators nor have I offered to serve as their representative in any prospective discussions with the federal government in any capacity whatsoever.

    “I was recently contacted by someone who claimed to represent the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). In that conversation the caller asked if I would be willing to participate in an initiative to find ways to end the attacks on oil installations through dialogue towards restoring peace and stability in the region.

    “My brief response was that if the federal government was genuinely interested in entering into discussions with credible parties who could help to facilitate such a dialogue to halt the actions that were undermining the social and economic stability of the region and the nation I would readily participate.

    “In such an event I would seek to articulate the proper interests of all law abiding Nigerians generally and the ordinary people of the Niger Delta States, in particular.

    “I am not affiliated to or the official or legal representative of any particular group and I am certainly not an advocate for the unstated demands or actions of any insurgent organizations.”

  • Ex- militants to Avengers: Join in government talks

    A group of Nigerian former militants have urged the Niger Delta Avengers, who have claimed responsibility for a recent string of attacks on oil and gas facilities, to join in discussions with the government, a statement has said.

    Last week, the Avengers said they would not cooperate with a government initiative to start talks with them and other militants over their demands for a greater share of oil wealth and pollution in the impoverished southern swamp area.

    The attacks have cut Nigeria’s oil output to a 20-year low, Reuters reported.

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said: “If indeed your cause is to avenge the injustice done to the Niger Delta region then, we urge you to ceasefire and join us to the table of negotiation with the federal Government.”

    MEND, one of largest militant groups until it signed up for a government amnesty in 2009, said in a statement it had nominated a team of negotiators on its own behalf.

    “Following useful exploratory discussions held with high ranking officials of the current administration, MEND has constituted (a team) to dialogue with the federal Government on the immediate, medium and long-term future of the Niger Delta region,” it said.

    MEND has said some of its former commanders and fighters make up the Avengers, claims denied by the group. Security officials have also linked a MEND commander to the Avengers, though he denied this.

    The government has moved in army reinforcements to the southern swamps but Western allies such as Britain have said widespread poverty and oil spills in the Niger Delta need to be addressed to stop the militants.