The Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, militant group responsible for attacks on several oil installations in the Niger Delta region has in an open letter addressed to the president, Muhammadu Buhari, accused him of being deceitful and misleading.
The militant group in a statement issued on Friday signed by its spokesman, self-styled Brig. Gen Mudoch Agbinibo stated that the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is not being straightforward especially regarding the proposed dialogue withe the group.
It further noted that mediating the dialogue through security agents is not proper for a democratically elected government.
The group in its statement also accused the president of his “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.”
The statement added: “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.”
“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?”
Reacting to the president’s constant mention of the Ogoni land clean up as a government intervention to the Niger Delta region, the group in the statement noted: “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?”