NDA sets up contact committee after agreeing to enter into negotiations with government

MILITANT group the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has finally agreed to lay down its arms and talk with the federal government about solving the ongoing socio-economic crisis in the region setting up a contact committee to begin negotiations.

 

Over recent months, violence has returned to the Niger Delta, with the NDA leading a renewed militant campaign that involves blowing up oil installations. Despite government calls for dialogue, which other militant groups like the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) have accepted, the NDA has refused to enter into negotiations.

 

However, after months of uncertainty, it appears the NDA has resolved to constitute a contact and dialogue group with the government. Apparently, the militants have willingly agreed to heed the clarion call to dialogue with the federal government and expressed the hope that it will be sincere in the latest dialogue move.

 

Also, the militants equally expressed concern that the dialogue will come out with results that will yield lasting peace, equity, justice and harmony among all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. According to the NDA, its membership comprised mostly militants from Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

 

NDA spokesman Ballantyne Agiri, said: “The body has collectively and willingly agreed to heed the clarion call to dialogue with the federal government, while admonishing Nigerians and the world to keenly follow and watch out for which of the two sides, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government or the NDA that may default in terms of openness, honesty and sincerity in abiding by the rules and spirit of dialogue. We have constituted a contact and dialogue group to engage the federal government in a meaningful dialogue on her behalf."