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Tag: Niger Delta Avengers (NDA)

  • Clark-led PANDEF has lost focus, says ex-IYC boss

    Clark-led PANDEF has lost focus, says ex-IYC boss

    Ijaw youth leader and immediate past President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, Wednesday, said the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) led by Chief Edwin Clark had lost focus.

    Speaking in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Eradiri said though the forum was able to set the pace and part of the Niger Delta agenda, it derailed and lost the confidence of the people of the region.

    He insisted that the group became an embarrassment and a disgrace to region adding that President Muhammadu Buhari did not need the PANDEF to develop the Niger Delta.

    Eradiri said:  ”We have lost confidence in PANDEF. We no longer believe in them. I was part of those that brought up the idea when the government said they did not know whom to talk to in the region.

    ” We agreed to come together as one, hence we established PANDEF. But unfortunately, PANDEF has now lost focus. They are now talking about constitution and leadership. They have women’s wing, youths’ wing and others.

    ”At every point that we strive to make progress, we are the same persons to scatter it. Everyone is seeking audience. Let those elders go and rest, particularly Clark. We have no elders to report to; they want to be the rulers, owning the power.

    “They seek to overthrow the IYC and all others. They want to be the leaders all because of the selfish gains they want to derive. PANDEF has lost its usefulness. The group is becoming an embarrassment and a disgrace to the Niger Delta. ”

    Eradiri also declared that some external forces were behind the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and its recent threat to resume hostilities in the region.

    He noted that the Federal Government was aware of the entire scheme, which he said was orchestrated by agents of destruction with the desire to make money from the system.

    He knocked the government for its approach in handling the agitations of the militant group and explained that violent agitations were a product of long years of underdevelopment, neglect, lack of equity, insincerity other challenges facing the Niger Delta.

    The former IYC boss said that he never believed in violent agitation, but the government had made it the only language it understands in the country.

    To stop further agitation, he said the government needed to demonstrate more commitment and seriousness in addressing the causes of agitations.

    Eradiri said: ”The government is not serious. All they want to do is blackmail some persons politically and dent people’s images.  I am from this area and I know how it works. All I want is for everything to hear better.

    ”I believe and I know that these Avengers’ stuff and threats are external. They are fueled by external forces; people who just want to disrupt things are behind it. Their thinking is that money will come out it through negotiation. Even the government knows about it. It is all about destabilising things and stealing money from system.

    ”My advice to the youth is that they should continue to agitate. Yes, the only language that they understand is constant agitation. If they did not agitate, the Amnesty budget, you remember I was shouting,  it was N20bn down from N56bn.

    ”When the youth started agitation, it was moved to N35bn and now it is over N50bn, with they (Amnesty operators) now have money to pay school fees and all of that. They were also shouting about the Niger Delta Ministry budget, now the government has increased it.

    “When agitation started, we shouted about the Maritime University, they said they were going to kick off, now I am hearing President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N5bn in the new budget. So, if there is no agitation, will they do all these? So, let the youth agitate. Government, wake up to your responsibility.”

    Speaking on the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), Eradiri said PANDEF had lost focus and outlived its usefulness.

    He insisted that the Federal Government did not need the organisation to address the Niger Delta question.

  • BREAKING: Niger Delta avengers threaten resumption of hostilities

    BREAKING: Niger Delta avengers threaten resumption of hostilities

    Owing to alleged unfulfilled promises and insincerity on the part of the federal government, the dreaded Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has called off its unilateral ceasefire.

    The group, in a statement posted on its website on Friday also lashed out at fugitive former warlord, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, and the elders of the Niger Delta region, represented by the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), for allegedly working against the interest of its struggle.

    It warned that its operations, which it said would commence soon, would not be without casualties as it was in 2016, sending strong warnings to the oil multinationals operating in the region, it said it would bring down anything and anyone in sight.

    In the statement signed by its spokesperson, Murdoch Agbinibo, NDA also debunked the existence of any militant group known as the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), describing it as a money-making tool, put together by Niger Delta political jobbers.

    It blamed the current state of things in the Niger Delta and the failure of the Nigerian government to have taken serious and practical steps towards addressing the region’s woes on the PANDEF and Tompolo.

    It, however, said it had lost faith in Tompolo and the PANDEF, vowing not to listen to any call or advise from them from now onwards.

    “To the elders of the Niger Delta, PANDEF, we warned you against the antics of the Nigerian Government yet you requested a chance to broker a new vision for our people; we told you and the rest of the world that the Nigerian Government is only interested in our oil wells and not our well being yet you told us the signs are different this time around.

    “Instead of allowing us to continue our quest to bring the Nigerian economy to our targeted zero daily production, which recorded huge success; you threatened us with Tompolo to stop the struggle; out of respect for elders and not to the threat of Tompolo we adhered the call and halted our strike actions hoping you (PANDEF) would keep your own side of the bargain.

    “The question to Tompolo and the PANDEF is to tell us what progress they achieved since we heeded your retrogressive call,  to whose benefit is the move by Tompolo and the Niger Delta elders to impede a mission sanctioned by our ancestors and the Almighty?

    “Tompolo, we want you to know that we never started this struggle with the intent of living forever but with our lives already offered for a sacrifice for a better Niger Delta. We invite you to come after us with your total force as we are no longer ready to heed uninspiring advise from you or anyone else in the Niger Delta Region.

    “To the Nigerian Government, we are aware of Egina FPSO built in South Korea by Samsung to be operated by Total Nigeria is one of the biggest FPSO built in South Korea has started it’s voyage to the oil fields of the Niger Delta to further exploit us while our concerns are left unattended. We are presently tracking and monitoring its movement and God willing it shall not operate successfully in amidst the return of the fury of the Niger Delta Avengers.

    “Message to the Oil Companies; Our next line of operation will not be like the 2016 campaign which we operated successfully without any casualties; this outing will be brutish, brutal and bloody, as we are shall crush everything we meet on our path to completely put off the fires that burn to flair gas in our communities and cut every pipe that moves crude away from our region. We can assure you that every oil installation in our region will feel the warmth of the wrath of the Niger Delta Avengers”, the statement said.

  • Niger Delta crisis: Avengers write Buhari

    Niger Delta crisis: Avengers write Buhari

    The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) is not keen on meeting with security agents who may be representing the Federal Government at the proposed peace talks over the crisis in the zone.
    The NDA, in an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, said it is not proper for a democratically elected government to conduct such talks through security agents.
    It was responding to what it called the president’s “continuous disparaging remarks since the cessation and suspension of hostilities by our fighters for the liberation of the Niger Delta from economic colonialism of Nigeria.
    “We are curious of comments like ‘Niger Delta militants objective is to colonize Nigeria economically’ and ‘Niger Delta militants are sponsored by economic looters’ during the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 63rd Regular Course,” NDA said in the open letter signed by ‘Brig. Gen’ Mudoch Agbinibo. 
     The letter further stated that, “You personally issued misleading statements and threats of decisive military action – if necessary – to deal with Niger Delta agitation because you have purportedly opened up channels of talks through security agencies/agents and the Multinational Corporations.
    “Mr. President, do democratically elected governments open channels for talks in situations like we have in the Niger Delta through security agencies/agents or you are assuming the Niger Delta as a conquered colony in your 1984 Era?”
    The militant group also expressed dislike for the President’s constant reference to the recently flagged off clean up of Ogoni as part of government’s program to salvage the ravaged environment. 
    It said the pollution of Ogoniland was caused by successive governments, adding:”How can you justify Ogoni clean-up and at the same time constitute a Task Force Called “Operations Delta Safe” that is embarking on environmental pollution with the burning and bombing of petroleum products in the guise of fighting oil theft? 
    “Does that amount to lack of genuine ideas or sincerity? 
    “Or at least, is there no relationship between environmental pollution and the ongoing indiscriminate burning and bombing of petroleum products by operatives of the so-called Operations Delta Safe?
    “Mr. President, basically, some other factors fueling the Niger Delta conflict are corruption engendered by successive government that you served since oil becomes the commonwealth of the nation Nigeria.
    “Whilst you start the Ogoni clean-up process, what is wrong in reviewing the Sir Henry Willinks Commission Report of 1958? The Ogoni Bill of Rights, The Kaiama Declaration document of the Ijaw Youths Council, The General Alexander Ogomudia Committee Report, and The Leedum Mitee-led Niger Delta Technical Committee Report?”
  • Militant group denounces Clark’s stakeholders’ forum

    Militant group denounces Clark’s stakeholders’ forum

    The Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM), the insurgent group, which has claimed responsibility for attacks on oil and gas assets in the upland areas of the oil-rich region, has denounced the recently convened Niger Delta stakeholders’ by Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, saying the meeting was a selfish project.

    The group, in a statement electronically circulated to the media Monday by its spokesman, Aldo Agbalaja, also said it would not observe the resolutions of the last Friday meeting, which was attended by some dignitaries, including the Delta state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, warning the federal government to be wary of the Ijaw leader, whom it accused of being part of the last administration, which shortchanged the people of the region.

    According to the statement, the call for cessation of hostilities, which had since been accepted by another insurgent group; the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), was just a smokescreen, aimed at collecting money from government and to create the impression that the people who attended the meeting were indeed the true representatives of all the people of the region.

    NDGJM, which emphatically stated that it was not going to respect the call by the Clark-led stakeholders, however said it might consider sheathing its sword if the federal government would seek out the true stakeholders of the region, which it said should come from the six core Niger Delta states.

    It added that a group of stakeholders; the Niger Delta Contact Group, led by the first military administration of the Old Rivers state, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, currently in talks with government, could help with reaching out to genuine leaders of the region.

    “He (Chief Edwin Clark) does not have the mandate to convene a meeting or speak on behalf of the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate is not in support of that so-called stakeholders’ meeting, which by the way was populated by the same gang of breast-pocket politicians who in the six to seven years of Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, ruled with him, looted the nation and raped the Niger Delta. We see that meeting in Warri on Friday last week as an attempt by this same gang, led by Clark, to creep back into national relevance and continue with the looting spree that supposedly ended with Jonathan’s regime.

    “We are neither moved by the stage-playing in name of the call for ceasefire by the Warri gang last Friday, nor by the acting up that followed in the supposed ceasefire declaration by the Niger Delta Avengers, as a matter of fact, the people who called for truce were the same set of people who put the Avengers together in the first place, therefore the hypocrisy of these people is becoming glaring to the world by the day.

    “We also know that the charade called ceasefire is in the bid to collect more money from both the federal government and oil companies, to be shared between the founders and the boys of the Avengers. We hereby serve a notice that the so called truce called by E.K Clark and co is not recognised by the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate as we do not see Clark as the leader of all Niger Delta, but of only the Ijaw nation.

    “We are serving a notice that the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate is still carrying on with this campaign against Nigeria’s oil and gas interest until the federal government does right by our people. Like we said in our previous message, only a credibly convened conference of Niger Delta stakeholders, made up of real, grass-rooted representatives from the six core Niger Delta states, not breast-pocket rogues, who are merely looking for more avenues to sleaze and looting, can dialogue on behalf of the region and get a real deal out for our people, and those are the kind of representatives that the Niger Delta people can trust with their mandate.

    “Therefore, President Buhari should take note, stop wasting your time with these people, they are not serving the interest of the Niger Delta and they cannot stop the current campaign. They can only withdraw their boys, the Avengers, from action, but not the genuine campaigners for a better Niger Delta.

    “We are also aware that there is a group (NDDCG), led by the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Alfred Diete-Spiff, which has the involvement of some international agencies, we would rather the federal government builds on this group to reach out to the genuine representatives of the peoples of the region, across the six states, to discuss the way forward because we believe what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. Build on this group and reach out to our people, not on an Edwin Clark group, which had connived with Jonathan in the past to subject this region, including the majority of our Ijaw brothers, to one of the most untold humiliations by leaving the region they claimed to be representing worse than it was under previous administrations. Enough of these buccaneers in the name of leaders of the region, our people from both the upland and the creeks deserve a better deal, not the Avengers kind of deal,’’ the group said.

  • Militancy: Avengers renew secession threat

    Militancy: Avengers renew secession threat

    The insurgent group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), has resuscitated the threat of a creating a Niger Delta republic from Nigeria, should the federal government fail to consider calls for restructuring of the federation.

    In a statement dispatched electronically to the media Thursday by its spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, the group suggested an October 1 ultimatum, hinging its reason for the threat on an alleged division of the country by the administrations ‘misdirected policies’.

    The statement said the nation’s situation had become so precarious that nobody, not even the Niger Delta people, wish to continue to be part of the Nigerian system.

    “Our prayer for Buhari and the Northern hypocrite (Northern Governors) is that oil should be found in commercial quantity in the North, so they can let the Niger Delta go.

    “The Buhari Led government has fail Nigerians with their misdirected policies that has divide the country, as such nobody wants to be part of that failed state not even the Niger Delta.

    “The October 1st, declaration of independence is still sacrosanct. If the Nigeria government fails to retrace its step by restructuring this country.We want to warn the general public that those using NDA to defraud people days of reckoning is close,” the statement said. 

  • Militancy: Avengers deny dialogue with FG

    Militancy: Avengers deny dialogue with FG

    The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), the insurgent group, which has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks on oil and gas assets in the oil-rich region in recent times, has denied agreeing to any dialogue talks with the federal government.

    NDA was responding to queries from journalists over another report, which hit the airwaves earlier Wednesday credited to one Ballantyne Agiri, spokesman for the Dialogue Group, to the effect that the insurgent group was ready to dialogue with government.

    However, in a response by the group’s spokesman, Mudoch  Agbinibo, the Avengers denied both the report and its purveyor (Agiri), saying it had no plans to dialogue or enter into a meeting with government.

    “That report is not from us. We are not in any form of dialogue agreement with anybody. It’s like the Government wants to dialogue with themselves.”

    “Who is Mr. Ballantyne Agiri the claimed dialogue group spokesman? We don’t know you. And please stop fooling the general public.

    “We are not ready for any negotiation or dialogue with the federal government,” the group claimed.

  • Count Jonathan out of avengers – Bayelsa elders

    Count Jonathan out of avengers – Bayelsa elders

    Elders from Bayelsa State, Monday, called on security agencies to investigate and arrest persons behind the linkage of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the notorious militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    The elders from Ogbia, Jonathan’s Local Government Area, asked security agencies to rise up to the occasion and apprehend economic saboteurs, vandals and militants in the Niger Delta region.

    The elders under the aegis of Ogbia Brotherhood said it was unfair for anybody to sponsor a campaign of calumny against the former President.

    Speaking in a press conference in Yenagoa, the state capital, the National Chairman of the group, Chief Benson Agadaga, described the allegations against Jonathan as dangerous, spurious and wild.

    Also referring to persons behind the accusation as mischief makers and faceless group, Agadaga said the allegation was false, baseless, mischievous and wicked.

    He urged the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) which made the allegation to look elsewhere for its uncanny campaign of calumny.

    He said there was a criminal and devilish intention and cheap propaganda to rubbish the political status of the former president.

    “It is unthinkable that the former President by an iota of imagination could be linked with sponsoring or even establishing an armed outfit like the Niger Delta Avengers to antagonize the Federal Government where he has just served as President by the goodwill of all Nigerians.

    “May I add with unequivocal terms that the allegation lacks substance and does not bear true reflection or semblance to the nature, original beliefs and intent of the prominent son of Ogbia who holds the revered title as Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he said.

    He described the former President as an embodiment of peace and stability, adding that from his antecedents, pedigree and actions, Jonathan was a firm believer in the sanctity of life and the unity and prosperity of Nigeria as an indivisible entity.

    He said: “The Niger Delta cannot benefit anything by eliminating or frustrating Dr. Jonathan, our only national and international voice.

    “Dr. Jonathan’s commitment to the sanctity of life is further demonstrated by the fact that throughout his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa state and as President of the country; there were no reported cases of extra-judicial killings and high profile assassinations.

    “If MEND is in existence and wants to ‘emancipate’ the Niger Delta, as the name implies, then surely the right way to go is not through sinister moves to pull down and eliminate the divinely given and anointed personalities of their own region.”

    He called on the attackers call to stop persecuting, blackmailing, mudslinging and campaigning against Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

  • Stop linking Jonathan to avengers – Ex-President’s kinsmen

    Stop linking Jonathan to avengers – Ex-President’s kinsmen

    Youths from Ogbia, the Local Government Area of former President Goodluck Jonathan, in Bayelsa State, Saturday, warned against linking Jonathan to the notorious militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    Rising from their meeting in Ogbia, the youth wing of the famous Ogbia Brotherhood defended Jonathan saying it was unthinkable for the former President to contemplate violence against anybody especially against Nigeria, a country he loves so much.

    The National President, Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Wing (OBYW), Dr. Laguo Gilbert, insisted that Jonathan has no avenging traits, describing him as a man of peace and father of modern democracy in Africa.

    Gilbert said: “History has it that even from his youth, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been a humble peace-lover who values good and quality education. This is why with such great thoughts he was able to grow to this current political position not minding his background.

    “Moreover, Dr. Jonathan’s political activities from deputy governor to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria were in line with his true thoughts and characters which anchor on of peace, integrity and drive for quality education. Truly, this has been demonstrated in last 2015 general election”.

    He said it was senseless and stupid to think that Jonathan who saved Nigeria from bloodshed by willingly handing over to the opposition would think of sponsoring a violent gang against the same country.

    “This is why, the Ogbia Brotherhood youths wonder why detractors and enemies of progress would at this time come up with falsehood to intentionally deceive the public and discredit the former president”, he said.

    Gilbert said while in various offices as political a leader, Jonathan recorded tremendous contributions towards nations building, and has remained consistent in that position as a former president.

    He said: “Therefore, it is totally unreasonable for any group to intentionally drag this famous name to the mud. We the Ogbia Brotherhood Youths have discovered that the recent publication is not just senseless and baseless but also lacks merit and extremely unreasonable. It does not reflects the true character of Dr. Jonathan.

    “We the Ogbia people are equally affected negatively by the activities of the militant groups in the Niger Delta just as every other Nigerian. We have been on the same page with other good Nigerians to finding lasting solutions to resolve this menace. Therefore, will not allow unreasonable utterances against the name of Dr. Jonathan.

    “The Ogbia Brotherhood youths and the entire good people of Ogbia Kingdom condemn and reject these good-for nothing-elements and their wicked attitude. We warn that this must stop. Time for elections are far gone and what is required now is reasonable contribution towards moving Nigeria forward.

    “We appeal to the general public to continually disregard these disgruntled elements capable of inciting negative impacts in society as their view remains senseless and selfish.

    “Ogbia is known for peace and will at all time demonstrate peaceful coexistence. We encourage all well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with the government in making a better Nigeria”.

  • Stop linking IYC to avengers – council secretariat

    A faction of executive members of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, on Tuesday, frowned on the linkage of the youth body to the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    A splinter group of NDA, Reform Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) named the President of IYC, Mr. Udengs Eradiri among leaders it accused of belonging to the NDA and sponsoring bombings of pipelines in the region.

    Though Eradiri had since denied the allegation, some members of council claimed that he was no longer the President and should not drag the name of IYC into dishonourable activities.

    The Secretary-General of IYC, Mr. Bristol Emmanuel, condemned linking the IYC into militancy claiming that Eradiri had since ceased to lead IYC.

    Eradiri and most members of his executive council have been at loggerheads over the leadership of the council, a battle that had shifted to the court.

    But Emmanuel who spoke in Yenagoa said: “We condemn any attempt to drag the name of IYC to issues relating to militancy and avengers. The organisation has no activity that has to do with avengers.

    Eradiri is not the President of IYC. I am the Secretary-General of the IYC and the Head of Administration. I am the custodian of all the documents and everything of the council. Eradiri is not the President.

    “He has been released from that office. IYC for now is consulting with stakeholders and discussing with relevant institutions to put an end to the crisis in this region.

    “The IYC President remains Elvis Donkemezuo and that is the true reflection of Ijaw people and the position of the council. We are not speaking in the defence of Udengs, we are only defending the integrity of IYC.”

    Also speaking on the matter, Donkemezuo said it was unfair to rope IYC into violent agitation insisting that the council remained committed to the development of the Ijaw nation.

    He said: “We don’t want anybody to rope IYC to any issue that has not been approved by IYC. We don’t want people to associate the council to unending  arms struggle.

    “For the sake of clarity, we want to state unequivocally that Udengs Eradiri is no longer the President of the IYC. A court of competent jurisdiction sitting in Sagbama Bayelsa State has summoned him for continuoisly parading himself as IYC President.

    “IYC is not Udengs Eradiri’s private estate. Therefore, we urge those who have personal or business quarrels with him not to drag the name of the council into their tussles. We distance ourselves from the Niger Delta Avengers and any splinter group from it as well as all their sponsors.

    “Moreso, for the avoidance of doubt, we want the world to know that although we do not know who the NDA members are, we are confident that they are not Ijaw people and do not speak for the Ijaws or the Niger Delta Region.

    “They have identified that as a nation, we have an unresolved problem and they are trying to exploit that for their own personal aggrandisement. The abject state of the Ijaw man and the Niger Delta is no longer breaking news.

    “The whole world is aware that the Niger Delta is underdeveloped despite the huge resources that have been taken from it. So these people masking as freedom fighters are trying to cash in on this to exploit our plight as a tool to enrich themselves. Their actions do not reflect the true spirit of the Niger Delta Struggle. Our struggle in the IYC is in line with the principles of our illustrious forebearers like Isaac Adaka Boro,  Harold Dappa-Biriye, the Brave authors of Kaiama Declaration,  Ken Saro-Wiwa among others. The character, actions and antics of the NDA and their co-travellers,  like the so called RNDA do not reflect the yearnings and aspirations of our land and people. This is because they are actually impoverishing our region and degrading our environment with their mindless destruction of Oil Facilities.

    Finally we call on the Security Agencies to intensify efforts to fish out the real faces behind the NDA mask, just as we advise our youths to be law abiding and go about your lawful business. These are trying times, but we shall overcome with God on our side.  We must not allow profiteers to exploit our collective pains for their private gains.

    “We thank the Nigerian populace for their cooperation. IYC has nothing to do with the activities of NDA. We demand an apology for dragging the name of the council to such activities because our struggles are guided by the overall interest of the Ijaw nation”.

  • Troops seize Bayelsa creeks in search of militants

    Troops seize Bayelsa creeks in search of militants

    Search for Niger Delta militants began, Tuesday, as stern-looking and war-kitted troops barricaded some creeks and waterways of Bayelsa State.

    The operation commenced following the declaration by the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) that it would go “on the offensive” to fish out all the militants and killers of soldiers at a military checkpoint in Nembe on Monday morning.

    Militants dared the military on Monday when they ambushed the checkpoint, killed three soldiers on duty and carted away gunboats, rifles and ammunition.

    They held the community spellbound with gunshots that lasted for about 30 minutes.

    It was gathered Tuesday that there was massive movement of troops to the community and surrounding creeks.

    Fighter jets were said to have hovered continually over the community as soldiers took strategic positions and cordoned off some waterways.

    Nembe was described by a resident who spoke in confidence as “ghost town” following massive exodus of panic-stricken locals out of the community.

    “The town is deserted. People who ran away are yet to return. Stores and shops are closed. We can’t even find anything to buy. Some ran into the mangroves, others into smaller communities and Yenagoa.

    “Some of us are only able to stay because the Deputy Governor, John Jonah, and the JTF commander held a town hall meeting with us and assured us of our safety. But people who ran away have not come back,” he said.

    Jonah who led a delegation of the state government and the Commander of ODS, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, were said to have met with the residents.

    The deputy governor commiserated with the military over the brutal killing of the soldiers.

    At the meeting that was held at the King Koko Square, Nembe, Jonah noted that the killing of the innocent soldiers was senseless, barbaric and not in the best interest of the government and people of the state, especially the peace-loving people of Nembe.

    He described the incident as most painful and unfortunate and recalled that a similar one occurred in July, last year.
    He said the visit was to console and engage the military authorities to douse the palpable tension in the community.

    He urged fleeing members of the community to return home and called on youths and other stakeholders to help the military fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

    He further begged the clergy to continue to pray for lasting peace in the community.

    But Okojie was reported to have said that the troops would not molest innocent people.

    He assured the people of Nembe that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be made to account for their mindless actions.

    According to him troops are already on the trail of the criminals and will soon arrest and bring them to justice.

    Okojie also urged members of the community to volunteer useful information to the military authorities, appealing to them not to be scared of military presence.

    Some leaders in the community were said to have spoken at the occasion condemning the killing of the soldiers.

    Persons who expressed their condolences were a state lawmaker from Nembe, Ebi Ben-Ololo; Vice-Chairman, Nembe Council, Chief Bright Erewari-Iweka, and Chief Walter Feghabo-Amain.

    They noted that since the coming of JTF to Nembe, the community had enjoyed relative peace.
    They said members of the community would continue to cooperate with the military to ensure that perpetrators were apprehended and made to face the law.

    But a notable chief from the community, Wilfred Ogbotobo, said it had become expedient for the Federal Government to confront the militants with maximum force instead of pampering and indulging them.

    He said treating criminals with kid gloves was the reason why they had become emboldened to carry out attacks.

    He said: “All the peace-loving people of Nembe condemn in the strongest terms this latest and all forms of criminality perpetrated in Ijaw territories under the guise of Niger Delta struggle.

    “We want to sound it loud and clear that these indolent, cowardly and dastardly acts of terrorism with no head or tail would only compound and diminish the genuine struggle for the wellbeing and uplifting of the people and the region”.

    Ogbotobo said the despicable acts perpetrated in the region did not represent the ideals of Ijaw heroes such as King Koko of Nembe Kingdom and Isaac Adaka Boro.
    “Hence, if the motive is the prevalent delusion that every piracy, kidnapping and destruction means a rational continuation of the Boro militancy, it is warped and unacceptable.

    “The Niger Delta comprises different nationalities and cultures; hence, we must be careful about the image with which we brand our identity.

    “Any attempt, under a warped and distorted delusion to make the region ungovernable for President Muhammad Buhari would only isolate the Ijaws further.

    “Boro certainly would have opted to build a national political party to project the interests of the Ijaws and pursue the aspirations of the people of the region.

    “This should not be a period of militancy rather IY should be a period of reflection considering the unprecedented corruption and ineptitude of the past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, an Ijaw man.”

    The Nembe chief said the present realities demanded that the people of the region should imbibe seriousness in their lives, hold their traditional, local and state governments accountable.

    He said: “It is abundantly clear that the youths spearheading these dangerous ventures have not been adequately cautioned about the full implications and wrath associated with the kind of things they are doing.

    “The Federal Government should, therefore, declare a state of emergency in the affected areas and apply maximum force to dislodge ever criminal tendency and restate the entire region back to safety to fast-track development.”