Niger Delta Avengers list conditions for peace talk

Militant group reveals reasons for seeking dialogue with the federal government

– Informs President Buhari on what will happen if the proposed dialogue is made political

– Warns that pipeline bombings may not easily cease if there is no change in the forms of negotiation

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has revealed that it is ready for a dialogue with the federal government in order to stop its pipeline vandalism.

The group which has been bombing pipelines of major oil companies in the Niger Delta region for some months, stated via a press statement made available on their website, informed that all they want is peace with honour and not a peace of “our time”.

The statement signed by Brigadier Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, the group’s spokesperson, reads in part: “The high command of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) is using this medium to restate that there are no new items to put on the table for dialogue, we only want a genuine attitude and conducive atmosphere that will make us commit to any proposed dialogue and last peace talk.

We want the federal government to commit members states of the multi national Oil Corporations to commit independent mediators to this proposed dialogue; we believed that it is only such environment that will engender genuine dialogue that will be aimed at setting up a framework for achieving the short, medium and long term demands of the Niger delta to de-escalating this conflict and bring about a lasting p

The issues of the Niger delta are as old and as new as the days of Pa. Dappa Biriye, Major Jasper Isaac Adaka Boro, to Ken Saro Wiwa and the government of President Musa Yar’ Adua.

“We are warning this government of President Muhammadu Buhari, not to turn the essence of genuine peace talk and dialogue to political jamboree that is prevailing now where all manner of social media agitators and criminals have being sponsored by the job seeking corrupt political class to safe faces before the government of the day.

“Finally, if need be we may review our earlier stance of not taking lives. We are going to redirect and reactivate all our activities if the government, oil companies and their services firms don’t heed to these modest warnings of not carrying out any repairs works and suspend the buying of crude oil from our region as we await the right atmosphere that will engender genuine dialogue,” the statement read, with the group adding: “We Want a peace with Honour not a Peace of our time.”

Earlier today, it was reported that the militant group issued warnings to seven governors to release pro-Biafra protesters being held in police and military custodies in their states or face their full wrath.

In a statement signed by Agbinibo the militants gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the governors to release the pro-Biafra supporters under arrest in their states.

The governors threatened include: Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Willie Obiano of Anambra, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, and Rochas Okorocha of Imo states.