Over recent months, militancy as returned to the Niger Delta with NDA blowing up oil installations are warning companies operating in the area to leave. Despite the government flooding the region with troops, the militancy has not stopped and recognising the fact that it is fighting a losing battled, the federal government has offered to negotiate with the militants.
However, NDA has rebuffed the government's peace moves, claiming they are not sincere, with the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) accused the federal government of engaging the wrong set of people in negotiations. Yesterday, the NDA carried out yet another attack on a crude oil pipeline in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State belonging to Agip-Eni.
Only last weekend, about 140,000 barrels of crude was shut-in by Agip following an attack on its facilities, for which the NDA also claimed responsibility. Also yesterday, the NDA expressed delight over reports in the international media that some buyers were considering turning their back on Nigerian crude owing to the disruptive activities of its militants.
It urged the country’s customers not to buy Nigeria’s oil until issues bordering on alleged injustice and self-determination demand by the militants or freedom-fighters in the region were ironed out with the help of the international community. NDA defended its relentless bombing campaign against oil and gas installations in the region, stressing that it was prompted by decades of injustice against the oil-rich region, in terms of meaningful development.
IYC spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, called on the international community and especially the advanced nations of Europe, Asia and America to come to the aid of the Niger Delta people in their quest for self-determination. However, prominent Ijaw leader Chief Favour Izoukumor, the Fiye-Owei of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, decried the bombings, saying the NDA's activities were criminal and not in the interest of the region.
Chief Izoukumor said: “They certainly have no social, economic or political justification for their notorious actions. For me, their activities are purely criminal.
"Whatever reasons the Avengers have, they ought to seek dialogue with the government and it is when that fails to bring desired result that other options could be taken. However, in all, militancy, wanton destruction of national economic assets and extreme violence are no options to modern day struggle and agitation.”
He also advised the federal government to urgently enter into a robust dialogue with all stakeholders in the Niger Delta to end the senseless destructions by youths. For peace to region, he further suggested the implementation of the national conference report which signified a collective agreement negotiated by all Nigerians.
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