Militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers has disassociated itself from what it called ‘unwholesome activities’ and the ongoing or planned dialogue with the Federal Government on how to resolve the crisis in the region, vowing that the group would not be part of any peace initiative that will not ‘bring a peace with honour’.
It condemned the continuous linking of the group to any meeting in Delta State Government in Asaba with Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources or any other government official, adding that the Avengers want a complete emancipation of the people of the Niger Delta.
The group said in a statement on its website, which was issued by’ Brig. Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, its spokesman, that the Niger Delta struggle is not for “political thugs” who it said are currently hobnobbing with the government agents with a view to undermining the struggle at the expense of the people of the region.
The statement reads: “We are watching with keen interest the unwholesome activities of the political thugs and agents of APC to undermine the Niger Delta struggle in the likes of Mr. Ayiri and gangs.
“Few days ago, he and his group were parading, regrouping, re-branding and re-arming defunct ex-MEND and settled militants leaders discussing pipelines, oil and gas facilities contract in Edo State Government house.”
According to the statement, “today he and his co-travellers are in Delta State Government House, the Itsekiri Militants leader with community leaders and unfortunately branding them as representatives of Niger Delta Avengers for self-gain and political survivals.
“We condemn in its entirety, the continuous linking of the Niger Delta Avengers to any meeting in Delta State Government in Asaba with Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. We have never minced words in telling the whole listening world that the Niger Delta Avengers will not be part any dialogue deal that will not bring about “the peace of our time; but we want a peace with honour” and as such we could not be a party to any meeting with the likes of Ayiri Emami and his co- travellers that are ready to kill and trade for the interest of pipeline, oil and gas facilities contract from the government to bloat their pockets and urge fantasies.”
