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Tag: Niger Delta Avengers

  • FG confronts Niger Delta Avengers, other militants

    FG confronts Niger Delta Avengers, other militants

    •Pioneer GOC of new division resumes

    The federal government is set to confront fighters of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other militant groups that have resumed hostilities in the crude oil and gas-rich region.

    This is sequel to the assumption of office of the pioneer General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the newly-created 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Major General Kasimu Abdukarim.

    The new GOC, with Masters in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan (UI), until his redeployment, was the GOC of 2 Division, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    He insisted that the Nigerian Army remained apolitical.

    Addressing reporters at the weekend, Abdukarim said the 6 division consists of Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom and Rivers States while the division comprised 2, 16 and 63 Brigades with support elements.

    He said: “This arrangement (having 6 Division in core Niger Delta states with base in Port Harcourt) will help to curtail the activities of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), banditry, inter-communal clashes, illegal bunkering, kidnapping, robberies, Niger Delta Avengers and pipeline vandalism prevalent in the area.

    “Insecurity in the area (Niger Delta) negatively impacts on our national economy, resulting from sabotage by criminal entities within the region.

    “In view of this, everything must be done to guard, protect and defend our fledgling democracy, nourish it and prevent insecurity in our areas of responsibility.

    “We must be concerned with laying solid foundation, envious of the generations.

    He went on: “We have our contingency plans (to put an end to the bombing of oil facilities and other installations of oil companies by Niger Delta militants) and we are also strategising on how we are going to protect our critical infrastructure.

    “As an institution, it will not be fair for us to sit down and see our critical assets destroyed. That is where we earn our salaries. We must guard and protect them.”

    Abdukarim also stated that his mission as the pioneer GOC is to structure, nurture and enhance 6 division’s combat readiness across all spectrums of military operations through development of a professionally-responsive force.

    The GOC pointed out attainment of his mission at the 6 division established on November 7 would be based on review of existing intelligence architecture, accountability, inclusiveness, rule of law, troops’ discipline and respect for human rights.   On the December 10rerun, Abdukarim promised soldiers will be professional in the discharge of their duties.

    He said: “The role of military is very clear. We are to ensure that we provide a very conducive atmosphere for people to go about their businesses.

    “In terms of elections, we are not the first respondent. The police are supposed to maintain law and order.

    “In case they fail, our responsibility as military practitioners is to enforce the law.”

    He dispelled the notion creation of the division is tactical militarization of the Niger Delta.

    According to the GOC: “Bringing the military does not mean that we are militarising the area.

    “We are also bringing development to the area because it is envisaged that we are going to have barracks.

    “We will have our own infrastructure that will be brought to the people and in that process we will help them because we will also engage in community development.

    “So, it does not mean that when you have soldiers within your domain, it is only for combat, no.

    “We have other benefits that are derivable from the association. Nigerian Army operates within the confines of the law and we have respect for rule of law.”

  • Troops clash with militants, pirates in Niger Delta creeks

    Troops clash with militants, pirates in Niger Delta creeks

    …Two dead; fake soldier arrested 

              

    Troops of Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS) have clashed with militants believed to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers in the creeks of Delta State.

    The troops of Sector 1 of ODS were said to have encountered the militants and engaged them in a gun duel at the Batan-Egwa creeks in Warri South-west Local Government Area of the state.

    The operatives were reportedly deployed in an outpost of the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) to protect the facilities of the firm when they saw two 200 horsepower boats conveying the militants.

    The Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre (JMCC) of ODS, Lt. Col. Olaolu Dauda, confirmed the encounter in a statement in Yenagoa but said the troops repelled the militants.

    “They came in 200 horsepower speed capacity boats but were subsequently engaged and repelled. Effort is ongoing to apprehend the criminals”, he said.

    He, however, added: “Troops at Batan reported a loud sound suspected to be an explosion.  Further findings revealed that a barge carrying equipment used for the repairs of the Trans Forcados Pipeline at the repair site in Eweregbene community was blown by suspected Niger Delta Avengers militants who retreated after troops repelled the attack.  

    “However, two unexploded dynamites found at the scene on a branch and swamp buggy were successfully detonated by our troops”.

     Olaolu also disclosed that troops of Sector 2, Bayelsa State, in conjunction with Special Forces conducted patrols at Sand-sand Fishing Camp and uncovered attempts by militants to reactivate an earlier-destroyed camp.

    “The troops engaged the suspected militants and killed one of them popularly called ‘Edoboy’.  He was one of the notorious kinpins on the wanted list of security agencies who had been terrorizing innocent members of the communities in the area”, he said.

     He said the troops also engaged another group of suspected sea robbers at creeks close to Lobia community in Bayelsa.

    He said: “One suspect popularly known as “Stainless Gobo” was killed while others escaped with various degrees of injuries towards Lobia Community.  

    “The killed suspected sea robber is believed to be affiliated to a wanted militant called “VIP”. One AK 47, two magazines, 29 rounds of 7.62milimeter special, 10 empty cases, seven charms, two head warmers and a cutlass were recovered from the scene”.

    The spokesman said a passenger boat was rescued from sea robbers at Idoro River in Ozobo Community, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.  

    He said while trying to escape, the sea robbers’ vessel collided with the passenger boat and capsized adding that four of the suspects were nabbed.

    He said troops were making efforts to recover four locally-made double-barrel guns belonging to the suspects from the river while the arrested suspects were being quizzed.

     Olaolu further said that a wooden boat conveying 53 drums of illegally-refined petroleum product were intercepted at Asugbo Tibigbene and Beneth River Warri South Local Government.

    The spokesman confirmed that one Vincent Moses and Emuotu Godbless Oghenechonuohwo were arrested with a white coloured Toyota Hiace bus conveying ten plastic drums with 220 litre capacity each and 19 jerrycans of suspected Automated Gas Oil (AGO).

    They were arrested along Okwagbe – Ughelli road and handed over to the Delta State Command of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

     Olaolu also confirmed that one Usman Jafar, 21-year-old indigene of Adamawa State was arrested for parading himself as a serving soldier.  

    Jafar, who was alleged to have robbed one Atima Aghogho along Ajanuga road had in possession a fake Nigerian Army Identity Card, one First Bank of Nigeria ATM Card and an iphone belonging to one of his victims.

     The spokesman further said that following a tip off, troops in conjunction with members of Petroleum Task Force conducted a raid at Ifieporo community in Warri South Local Government and discovered an area used as dump site and piling up place of products before being loaded into trucks.  

    He said: “Other items discovered are several rubber drums and Jerricans containing substance suspected to be illegal oil bunkering mats. Troops also recovered a black coloured Audi vehicles loaded with several water proof bags containing substance suspected to be products of illegal bunkering. 

     “Following another tip off troops discovered 4 identified hideouts used for storing substance suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gas Oil around Ohoro junction, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.  No arrests were made while troops are on the trail of the perpetrators.

     “Earlier on today, the troops arrested one Mr Victor Bassey, alleged bugler while on routine check.  Items recovered include:  One Hundred and Thirty Six Thousand Naira (N136,000:00) only, one Ifinix Note II handset, one venue handset.  Items and suspect will be handed over to the Nigeria Police”.

     On the mop-up operation at Cross River South, the spoeksman said that troops conducted anti-militancy patrol around Ekpirikan, Maternity and Idebe axis of Bakassi Local Government Area.

    “One suspected militant known as John Ita was arrested based on tip off in his residence at Idebe in Bakassi.  A car and motorcycle were recovered from him.

    “Similarly, troops deployed at Ikang located an illegal assembly of suspected members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Bakassi Local Government Area, Cross River State. 

    “They were distributing flyers, leaflets, tea-shirts, food items and other materials in order to lure and mobilize members at Epiri – Ikang axis. The intention was to hold a meeting on how to mobilize and influence people in support of IPOB.  

    “The suspects,Comrade Prince Obuka (National President Biafra Nation Youth League), Mr Slvanus Uzor and Mrs Ada Emechetta were subsequently arrested along Ikang – Cameroun border.

    “It should be noted that the Acting Commander, Operation DELTA SAFE, Brigadier General Kevin Aligbe reiterates that any illegal assembly to propagate Biafra or any such group will not be tolerated or condoned.  

    “Furthermore, he expresses his appreciation to the people of the region for their continued support and co operation”.

  • Army kills 2, repels attack by Niger Delta Avengers

    Army kills 2, repels attack by Niger Delta Avengers

    The Joint Military Force deployed to the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe says it successfully repelled an attack by Niger Delta Avengers at a gas facility in Delta and killed two pirates in ongoing operations in the region.

    A statement by Lt-Col. Olaolu Daudu, Spokesman of the Joint Force made this known in Bayelsa on Tuesday.

    Daudu said that the operations were carried out between Saturday and Tuesday.

    “Troops deployed at Delta State while on watch at the Nigeria Gas Company Outpost in Batan/Egwa Area of Warri South West Local Government of Delta encountered suspected militants who claimed to be members of Niger Delta Avengers.

    “They came in two 200 Horsepower Speed capacity boats but were subsequently engaged and repelled. Effort is ongoing to apprehend the criminals.

    “Troops also rescued a Passenger boat from sea robbers at Idoro River in Ozobo Community, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

    “While trying to escape, the sea robbers’ boat collided with that of the passenger boat and capsized.

    “Four of the suspected sea robbers were arrested, however, four locally made double barrel guns belonging to the suspects fell into the river.

    “Efforts are ongoing to recover the guns while suspects are in custody for further investigation. They are presently in custody for further investigation,” Daudu stated.

    He also said that troops on patrol at Asugbo Tibigbene and Beneth River Warri South Local Government Area impounded a wooden boat carrying 53 drums of illegally refined substance at Asugbo.

    Also, troops while on clearance operation at Yorkiri, Obotobo, Chamomi Creek Okerenkoko and Open river arrested a Cotonou boat conveying Jerrycans for possible loading of substance.

    The Spokesman said that in another development troops arrested a 21-year-old man Usman Jafar, an indigene of Adamawa State, who had  been parading himself as a serving soldier.

    The suspect allegedly robbed  Atima Aghogho along Ajanuga Road and the following items were also recovered from him, one fake Nigerian Army Identity Card, one First Bank of Nigeria ATM Card and an iphone belonging to one of his victims.

    “Following a tip-off, troops in conjunction with members of Petroleum Task Force conducted a raid at Ifieporo community in Warri South Local Government and discovered an area used or storage of stolen petroleum products

    “Other items discovered are several rubber drums and Jerricans containing substance suspected to be illegal oil bunkering mats.

    “Troops also recovered a black coloured Audi vehicle loaded with several waterproof bags containing substance suspected to be products of illegal bunkering.

    “Following another tip off troops discovered four identified hideouts used for storing substance suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gas Oil around Ohoro junction, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

    “No arrests were made while troops are on the trail of the perpetrators,” Daudu stated.

    Daudu also said that on Tuesday the troops arrested one suspected bugler while on a routine check with N136,000 cash, one Ifinix Note II handset, one venue handset.

    He said the items and the suspect would be handed over to the Nigeria Police.

    “Troops at Batan reported a loud sound suspected to be an explosion.

    “Further findings revealed that a Barge carrying equipment used for the repairs of the Trans Forcados Pipeline at the repair site in Eweregbene community was blown by suspected Niger Delta Avengers militants who retreated after troops repelled the attack.

    “However, 2 un-exploded dynamites were found at the scene on a branch and swamp buggy were successfully detonated by troops.,” Daudu stated.

  • Avengers blow up Bonny pipeline as ceasefire collapses

    Avengers blow up Bonny pipeline as ceasefire collapses

    The strike team of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), which recently declared ceasefire, on Friday night bombed the Bonny 48 inches crude oil export line in Rivers State.

    NDA, through its Spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Mudoch Agbinibo, in an online statement yesterday, disclosed that its strike team took out the export line at 8:40 p.m., stating that it could no longer be continuously fooled.

    The militant group said: “The government cannot justify the indiscriminate targeting of Niger Delta youths, while glorifying on the victimisation of law-abiding citizens of the region (Niger Delta).

    “The action (bombing of Bonny crude oil export line) is a signature to the over dramatisation of the so-called dialogue and negotiation process on the side of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government.

    “Since, the cessation of hostilities and the commitment of the pan-Niger Delta elders and stakeholders’ team, the Nigerian government and its agents are turning the expectations of the Niger Delta to shameful scenes obtainable in Nollywood acts and as well intimidations, blackmails and continuous profiling of Niger Delta sons and daughters. This is only a wake-up call. We may not have other way to say it better.”

    The NDA also stated that it was still in favour of the dialogue and negotiations process, but warned against “the peace of our time,” while preferring peace with honour.

    The militant group said: “We will resist all actions undermining the ceasefire from the side of the government and its security agents/agencies. The world is watching, time is running against the Nigerian state, while we were promised that the concerns of the Niger Delta will be addressed, once a truce is declared, the activities of the government and its agents are not assuring enough, there has been no progress and no breakthrough.”

     

  • Navy parades arrested avengers leader in Warri

    A suspected leader of the notorious militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), was on Thursday paraded by the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, as part of the activities of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), in Warri.
    Commander of the NNS Delta, Commodore Joseph Dzunve, while parading the suspect, who identified himself as Abraham Suru, also known as Gabon, said the arrested suspect is a gang leader in the ranks of the NDA, adding that he had been notorious for other forms of criminal activities, including pipeline vandalism, sea robbery and oil theft.

    According to Dzunve, Gabon, who had earlier been mentioned by some suspects arrested in the past as a leader in the cell of vandals destroying oil pipelines in the Warri North council area of the state, was arrested on Tuesday, September 20, in the Sapele general area.

    ”As part of the ongoing efforts by the federal government to stop crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the nation’s maritime domain, the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, being part of Operation Delta Safe, has arrested a notorious gang leader, who has been in this criminal business since 2011. He is involved in pipeline vandalism, sea robbery, attacks on ships, illegal bunkering and currently a suspected member of the Niger Delta Avengers.

    ”The Nigerian Navy in general, and the NNS Delta in particular, is not relenting in the fight against crude oil theft and other illegal activities such as sea robberies, attacks on shipping and the Niger Delta Avengers. The Nigerian Navy remains committed in apprehending those behind all forms of criminal activities in the Nigerian maritime domain”, the naval boss said.

    Meanwhile, while responding to questions, the suspect said he was not a member of the NDA, but confirmed that he had been involved in attacks on pipelines in the region, adding that he was recruited by one late ‘General’ Alpha Polo because he was deemed capable for the jobs.

    ”Let me talk for you to understand me, Alpha Polo said as his community, Opia community in Dibi, has oil and the youths were not being recognised, he decided that we should bomb some pipe so that he would be recognised by the company and give us work.

    ”Me and Alpha Polo bombed two pipes in Dibi in 2011. But he died earlier this year and I have not been going for operations since then, but this man called General Felix and one Stanley Osiso have been doing it. General Felix used me to work. They call me Gabon”, the suspect told journalists.

  • Niger Delta Avengers to Buhari: no more attacks

    Niger Delta Avengers to Buhari: no more attacks

    Presidency hopes peace move sincere

    Army deploys more troops, tanks

    Ijaw youths advise govt not to use force

    There is good news from the Niger Delta.

    The militants whose attacks have caused a huge dip in Nigeria’s oil exports, forcing the economy into a big crisis, said last night that they were done with the hostilities.

    The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) broke the news in a letter posted on its website by its spokesman, Mudoch  Agbinibo, and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari. It also spoke of the need for regular dialogue to take place for the Nigerian union to survive.

    Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina welcomed the cessation of hostilities by the Avengers as “a good development which is in the interest of the country and especially the Niger Delta people.”

    He said “anything that portends peace is always good,” adding that “we hope that it cuts across board and it is sincere.”

    The Avengers alleged that the Federal Government was out to execute a predetermined genocide against the people of the Niger Delta through the recently launched Operation Crocodile Smile, which the military high command has explained as just a training drill designed to prepare the Amphibious Division for a better mastery of the Niger Delta terrain.

    The group also observed that the Nigerian system would work better if the Federal Government learns from the developed democracies to allow internal protests and conflicts aimed at greater good of the nation.

    “We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to put away the garb of a stooge to the imperialists, whenever he speaks outside Nigeria. We have listened carefully and halted hostilities in the Niger Delta. We expect a genuine and positive attitude to restructuring and self-determination for every component unit of Nigeria. Dear president, what makes those countries (Japan, Germany, France, USA, Britain etc.) great is the ability of their governments to accommodate internal protestations and conflicts for the greater good of their nations over the years.

    “Nigeria is not a one-man personal property. We must have these talks every time if this union must continue to work as one. The people of the Niger Delta have been living here from time immemorial, so we have the secret of the terrain and survival of amphibious operations.

    “No amount of troop surge and simulation exercises will make you win the oil war; you can only win battles. You cannot apply the might of the state to restore the people’s confidence in your leadership when you cannot differentiate between genuine demands and being mismanaged by disorganised characters and tribal lords around you in your government that are playing the court jesters’ role as well as counting the days that is left in your four years term.

    “You can deceive the whole world but we cannot be deceived by the so glamorized ongoing military operations in the creeks of Ijaw communities in the Delta coded “ Operation Crocodile Smiles”… the world should knows that with your pronouncement in Kenya and your attitude to the military build-up in the Niger Delta, it is crystal clear that the military has nothing less than a pre-determined genocide in Niger Delta and burn more already scared national resources to the pockets of those that have failed to locate the missing Chibok School Girls.

    “Please also tell those foreign nations that your troops are about carrying out extrajudicial killings in the Niger Delta in violation of Article Four of the Geneva Convention with “OPERATION CROCODILE SMILE”. All sane minds know the meaning of “ CROCRODILE TEARS” so by code-naming your military operation CROCODILE SMILES only betrays your motives and attitude to the whole world about the Niger Delta question.”

    With an end to bombings, there is hope for increased oil and gas production, which will translate to more revenue for the Federation.

    The militants in the last few months hit major pipelines including Shell’s Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) and Forcados terminal, ExxonMobil and Agip’s facilities. These attacks led to shut-in of various crude grades from Nigeria.

    At the peak of the attacks, production dropped to 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) against a budgeted 2.2 million bpd. Production had risen to 1.9 bpd before the renewed attacks.

     

  • Jonathan denies intelligence report linking him to militancy

    Jonathan denies intelligence report linking him to militancy

    …..Threatens libel against Newspapers

     Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed allegations that an intelligence report has indicted him of sponsoring the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers.

    A statement from the former President’s media aide Ikechukwu Eze said “from what we know about intelligence gathering, there is no responsible Government agency that would rush, as claimed in the newspaper stories, to adopt the accusations of a questionable rebellious organization as its own findings, without applying the professional processes of rigor and due diligence.”

    The statement went to add that “there is no doubt that there exist such people who may have scores to settle with the former President but are now feeling frustrated by the fact that his national and international profile has continued to rise, despite their recourse to endless muck-raking character assassination. Such people will stop at nothing to continue to throw obstacles, albeit futilely, on his path.”

    The former President through his aide subtly threatened to drag the newspapers that reported the alleged intelligence report to court for libel, according to Eze, “apart from toying with the serious issue of libel, those newspapers lending themselves to be so cheaply used by miscreants, are also doing gross disservice to our collective good and the image of the country.”

    Goodluck Jonathan noted that “there were similarities in the two stories published the same day by the two newspapers that are too striking to pass the test of the normal newsroom process of diligent reporting and independent investigation.”

    He added that he was “convinced that such clear coincidences are only permissible in

    situations where general statements are issued, but not on matters of intelligence/security reports which do not fly into newsrooms as press releases.”

    He expressed concern that “the stories did not differ in content and substance from the trite allegations earlier made by the so called Reformed Niger Delta Avengers over the same lies of linking Jonathan to the militants.”

    Jonathan lambasted the two newspapers and said he was amazed “that a newspaper would be quick to report that ‘the intelligence gathering was said to be a confirmation of a similar claim by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger

    Delta (MEND)’, even without subjecting such frivolity to any ethical interrogation.”

    He went on to say that “the two publications wore the cloak of the deceit from the same misguided characters that are hell-bent on pulling down the former President, despite his clear record of diligent service to his country and long standing commitment to the good of society.”

    Jonathan lamented that “there is no doubt that there exist such people who may have scores to settle with the former President but are now feeling frustrated by the fact that his national and international profile has continued to rise, despite their recourse to endless muck-raking character assassination. Such people will stop at nothing to continue to throw obstacles, albeit futilely, on his path.”

    Jonathan claimed that he is “aware that the same people approached other well-meaning newspapers with the same false information, but they were wise to turn it down on account of its absurdity.”

    He however advised media houses to be “careful not to make the country a laughing stock by being hoodwinked into passing off the perverted voices of irritant groups as that of our well respected official and security authorities.”

    The full statement reads: Our attention has been drawn to two stories entitled ‘Report links Jonathan to Niger Delta Avengers’ and ‘FG probes Jonathan over N/Delta bombings’ published in both the Nation and Daily Trust newspapers, respectively, of Thursday 18 August, 2016, with the claim that some intelligence reports had linked Jonathan to the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta.

    We obviously would have ignored the allegation, having responded recently to the exact same fabrication peddled by a shady militant group, but for the new dimension of bringing in the authorities, while hiding under the often-abused journalism latitude of quoting nebulous ‘sources.’

    Firstly, we note that there were similarities in the two stories published the same day by the two newspapers that are too striking to pass the test of the normal newsroom process of diligent reporting and independent investigation.

    We are convinced that such clear coincidences are only permissible in situations where general statements are issued, but not on matters of intelligence/security reports which do not fly into newsrooms as press releases.

    We are also concerned that the stories did not differ in content and substance from the trite allegations earlier made by the so called Reformed Niger Delta Avengers over the same lies of linking Jonathan to the militants.

    For instance, we are amazed that a newspaper would be quick to report that “the intelligence gathering was said to be a confirmation of a similar claim by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND)”, even without subjecting such frivolity to any ethical interrogation.

    From what we know about intelligence gathering, there is no responsible Government agency that would rush, as claimed in the newspaper stories, to adopt the accusations of a questionable rebellious organization as its own findings, without applying the professional processes of rigor and due diligence.

    It is sad that the two publications wore the cloak of the deceit from the same misguided characters that are hell-bent on pulling down the former President, despite his clear record of diligent service to his country and long standing commitment to the good of society.

    There is no doubt that there exist such people who may have scores to settle with the former President but are now feeling frustrated by the fact that his national and international profile has continued to rise, despite their recourse to endless muck-raking character assassination. Such people will stop at nothing to continue to throw obstacles, albeit futilely, on his path.

    We are aware that the same people approached other well-meaning newspapers with the same false information, but they were wise to turn it down on account of its absurdity.

    Our media houses should then be careful not to make the country a laughing stock by being hoodwinked into passing off the perverted voices of irritant groups as that of our well respected official and security authorities.

    Apart from toying with the serious issue of libel, those newspapers lending themselves to be so cheaply used by miscreants, are also doing gross disservice to our collective good and the image of the country.

     

  • Navy arrests two suspected members of Niger Delta Avengers

    The Navy yesterday in Warri paraded two men it branded the brains behind recent attacks on Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) facilities in the Warri North council area of Delta State.

    Stanley Toghan and Felix Miyenminiye are suspected to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    Commander of the naval outfit, Commodore Joseph Dzunve, told reporters that the suspects carried out the attacks between May and July in addition to their involvement in other crimes such as pipeline vandalism and piracy.

    He said they had provided useful information that would help the Navy in its operations in the area.

    Their arrest last week in Sapele, he said, followed a tip-off.

    He said his men were on the trail of other members of the gang.

    “The Nigerian Navy and other security agencies remain committed to apprehending those behind all forms of criminal activities in the Nigerian maritime domain”, Dzunve said.

  • Dokpesi denies sponsoring Avengers’ activities

    Dokpesi denies sponsoring Avengers’ activities

    Chief Raymond Dokpesi on Monday vehemently condemned claims he is sponsoring the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers as published on an online platform.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Shehu Gabam, Director General, Raymond Dokpesi Campaign Organisation against a report by one Cynthia Whyte of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers published by Saharareporters.com.

    The statement reads in part: “We want to observe that ordinarily, a baseless accusation by a faceless identity is hardly worthy of a response. It is, however unfortunate that the editors at Sahara Reporters allow their platform to be used irresponsibly to disparage innocent citizens with malicious falsehood and conspiracy theories without interrogating their sources on the authenticity of the information they disseminate.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, let us state categorically that this is nothing but a blatant concoction of falsehood obviously laced with the political intention of throwing a spanner in the works of our nationwide campaign/consultation with PDP delegates throughout the country in our bid to contest the National Chairmanship of the PDP.

    “High Chief Dokpesi is a highly celebrated personality and people who know him will attest to the fact that he is not only a peace loving citizen, but one who is passionate about the unity, indivisibility and oneness of our nation. Regardless of the partisan political process in the country, now clearly infested with all manner of treachery, bitterness and unwholesome acts by opposing political actors, he has always and will always be an advocate of winning all political contests fair and square.

    “If Chief Dokpesi’s campaigns around all states of Nigeria to be elected national chairman of the PDP is creating nervousness and fear in any political quarters in the country, we expect such persons to address the issue squarely by campaigning harder than we have done or advancing superior reasons to ours on the issues at stake.

    “High Chief Raymond Dokpesi calls on all Nigerians and delegates to the PDP National Convention to ignore and disregard the claims of this so called Cynthia Whyte, who for reasons best known to him/her is bent on dragging Chief Dokpesi’s name into a matter he knows nothing about. It is a baseless, spurious and unfounded allegation that aims at creating distractions to the critical political issues that currently engage his full attention.”

  • Wike, IYC disown Niger Delta Avengers

    Wike, IYC disown Niger Delta Avengers

    Who are the sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) militants blowing up oil installations and facilities in Niger Delta? The sponsors’ identities remained shrouded in secrecy yesterday as those linked to the group denied having anything to do with it.

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) dismissed claim that they were behind NDA.

    In a statement by his spokesman Simeon Nwakandu, Wike described his link to the group as “false media propaganda.”

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to yet another  false media propaganda  wherein it was claimed that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is one of the sponsors of the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers.  We nequivocally  deny this false report which was fabricated with the aim of diverting  attention  from the superlative  performance  of Governor Wike.

    “Any close observer of this propaganda  machine would have noticed that  all they do is concoct lies about Rivers State.  We urge all well-meaning  persons to disregard this current falsehood  credited to a faceless splinter group of NDA .

    “This falsehood may not be unconnected  to Governor  Wike’s  speech at the just-concluded conference  of the Nigerian Guild of Editors where he publicly declared that he and other stakeholders  in the state have prevented militant groups from sabotaging  oil installations as is the case elsewhere.  Not happy  with this declaration,  they  resolved to concoct another ill-conceived  report trying to mislead the people.

    ”Nigerians already know what these propagandists represent. They represent retrogression , deliberate  falsehood,  under-development and biased unprofessional  journalism.

    ”Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is a patriotic leader,  committed to the sustenance  and  improvement of the nation’s  democracy and economy.  He is a promoter of security and good governance.  He cannot be disparaged by concocted publications  from APC  media agents.”

    IYC Worldwide President Mr. Udengs Eradiri said as leader of the influential Ijaw socio-cultural group, he was against a violent approach to actualising the Niger Delta struggle.

    He said he would continue maintain his stand because of his belief that only dialogue with genuine leaders would solve the problems.

    A splinter NDA, the Reform Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) in a statement by its spokesperson, Cynthia Whyte, listed President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Governor Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and other prominent leaders from the region as NDA sponsors.

    The statement also claimed that Eradiri was speaking for the group using the pseudo-name ‘Brigadier-General’ Murdoch Agbinibo.

    But Eradiri, who spoke in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, said he was not surprised that his name was being dragged in the mud because of his position on the Niger Delta crisis.

    He accused the promoters of the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) of blackmailing him for opposing their Aaron Team.

    He said: “I have no business whatsoever with the Niger Delta Avengers. I am the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), the largest youth organisation in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and not the spokesman of the Niger Delta Avengers.

    “Since the splinter group of the Niger Delta Avengers said they have broken away and repented from their old ways, I call on them to come out in the open and identify themselves openly instead of still using pseudo-names such as Cynthia Whyte to issue statements.

    “Any discerning mind would know that the said statement purportedly naming sponsors of Avengers was issued by the promoters of the Aaron 11 MEND negotiation with the federal government.

    “Their grouse against me is because I said in my recent interviews that MEND Aaron 11 team does have the mandate of the Ijaw and other Niger Delta people to negotiate with the Federal Government. They are desperate because of the lack of credibility in what they are doing”.