Niger Delta Agitators issue quit notice to northerners, Yorubas
- A coalition of Niger Delta agitators threatens to resume attacks on oil and gas installation across the Niger Delta region from September 10
- The agitators demand that the federal government returns all the oil wells given to non-indigenes of the region to them
- The coalition congratulates the Yoruba for demanding Oduduwa Republic and wishes them success
A coalition of Niger Delta agitators has told northerners and Yorubas residing in the Niger Delta to vacate the region before October 1.
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The group also threatened to resume attacks on oil and gas installation across the Niger Delta region from September 10, 2017.
The coalition, in a statement signed by the leaders of the groups, on Thursday, August 10, said it was determined to declare the Republic of Niger Delta on October 1, Vanguard reports.
The agitators also mandated the federal government to return all the oil wells given to non-indigenes of the region to them.
The militants dissociated themselves from the leadership and membership of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, and warned the federal government to stop dealing with the body on their behalf.
The signatories to the statement included General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo ( Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors) and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).
Others were Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw for Bakassi Freedom Fighters; Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall for Niger Delta Movement for Justice; Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson for Niger Delta Fighters Network and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams for Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.
The group said it took the decision at a meeting held in Akwa Ibom state and insisted on its demand for 100 per cent control of the resources of the region.
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The coalition also congratulated the Yoruba for demanding Oduduwa Republic and wished them success.
See the full statement by the group below:
“At the general council meeting of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (CNDA) involving surveillance department, intelligence department and commanding officers held today to deliberate on the recent development in the Niger Delta and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) meeting with the Acting President, after hours of careful deliberations, we unanimously resolved as follows:
“To commence Operation Zero Oil in the Niger Delta from September 10, 2017 as a preparation for the actualization of Niger Delta Republic
“We totally condemn the recent meeting between PANDEF and the Acting President; we see it as another plot to deceive the Niger Delta people. First and foremost, the meeting was marred with inordinate greed of the PANDEF as they did not involve the representatives of the Agitating groups and youths leaders.
We wish to let the Acting President to know that those he met have no capacity and cannot solve the current crisis in the Niger Delta; therefore they cannot represent the militants or speak for the Niger Delta people.
“The Coalition unanimously adopts to stand by the previous demands, which are: 100% percent control of our resources.
“The Federal Government should hand over all oil blocks owned by the Northerners/Yorubas to Niger Delta indigenes.
“All Oil companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate October 1st, 2017.
“Relocation of NNPC to any of the Niger Delta state and replacement of the Group Managing Director with an indigene of region.
“All the Multinational Oil, Gas, Servicing and Marine Companies must relocate their operational base to the Niger Delta, sign a new Memorandum of Understanding with Niger Delta people which would include Niger Delta indigenes being paid same salaries with foreigners.
“We demand independence and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta, all the companies and business owned by the Northerners / Yorubas in Niger Delta should be vacated before 1st October 2017, we accept and congratulate the Yorubas for demanding Oduduwa Republic and we wish them success.
“We hereby call on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region from September 10, 2017. This is to ensure zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.
“We shall work to interface with more patriotic and zealous Niger Delta people to work out new collective approach that will ensure total freedom and complete control of our resources by any means necessary.
“We shall from henceforth, fight to liberate ourselves from the shackles of neo-colonialism and rule ourselves under a Niger Delta Republic, with diplomatic and economic relations with the peoples of the South East and Middle Belt.
“Finally, we want to inform the federal government of Nigeria and the general public that we no longer recognize PANDEF under the present leadership as they are working against the interest of the Niger Delta people.”
Meanwhile, the federal government has cautioned the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), and other groups in the country to refrain from disseminating hate speeches.
The caution was given on Thursday, August 10, in Abuja by the director general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Garba Abari, Tribune reports.
Mr Abari said the NOA had in its possession at least three songs already recorded to preach hate in the communities.
The NOA DG warned that Nigeria stands the risk of impending crisis if hate and divisive speeches remain unchecked.
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