Leave Niger Delta Before October 1, Militants Warn Northerners, Yoruba

Niger Delta Agitators, NDA has asked northerners and the Yoruba residing in the Niger Delta to leave the region before October 1, 2017.

The threat was conveyed in a statement signed by the convener of the NDA, John Duku; Ekpo Ekpo of Niger Delta Volunteers; Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors); Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters); Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters); and Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice).

The group, in the statement said the decision was taken after hours of careful deliberations at a meeting held in Akwa Ibom State.

The group while threatening to resume attacks on oils and gas pipeline in the region, insisted on its demand for 100 per cent control of the resources of the region.

NDA further called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to relocate its headquarters to any of the Niger Delta states and replace its Group Managing Director with an indigene of the region.

The militants condemned the recent meeting which held between Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, stating that the group cannot speak for the Niger Delta people.

The statement titled ‘Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators to resume attacks on September 10, 2017; Northerners, the Yoruba to leave Niger Delta before October 1, 2017,’ read, “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 actualisation 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 by inordinate greed of the PANDEF as they did not involve the representatives of the agitating groups and youth leaders.

“We wish to let the Acting President 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 Federal Government should hand over all oil blocks owned by the northerners/Yoruba to Niger Delta indigenes. All oil companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate by October 1st, 2017.

“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 will include Niger Delta indigenes being paid same salaries with foreigners.

“We demand independence and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta, all the companies and businesses owned by the northerners/Yoruba in Niger Delta should be vacated before October 1, 2017.

“We 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.”