ericuzor:
From: TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

The renewed attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta region may in no way be nearing an end following the recent threat by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). The group has restated its threat to carry on with the bombing

of oil installations in the region until the Federal Government accedes to its demands.

NDA, a new militant group, had taken up arms against the government in what it claimed to be its own way of pressing for fair deal for the people of Niger Delta, especially in the allocation of oil blocs.

NDA is also demanding release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention for close to five months. The group said it wants the release of the IPOB leader as part of

conditions for ceasation of hostility in the region.

Besides the conditions, the group has also issued a quit notice to former vice

president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and General Theophilus Danjuma, to vacate

the Niger Delta area or face dire consequences.

The group recently gave a twoweek deadline to multi-national oil firms

to vacate the region, reiterating its threat to cripple the nation’s economy.

The Niger Delta Avengers’ threat is coming against the backdrop of the

claim by some former militant leaders who reportedly denied being part of

the amnesty programme put in place by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Sunday Sun gathered that some of the militant leaders are currently regrouping

and spoiling for war against the Federal Government.

Notable among these emerging groups is a group known as the Concerned

Militant Leaders (CML), which existence came to public consciousness

shortly after the arrest, detention and the incarceration of the leader of the

Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director, Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

CML’s solidarity with the detained IPOB leader was preceded by the call by

Niger Delta People’s Democratic Front (NDPDF) for his release. The Niger Delta

People’s Democratic Front (NDPDF) is led by Precious Iyoyo (aka General

Playboy). The group had warned the Federal Government of the consequences

of keeping Kanu in detention, describing it as provocative.

CML, through its spokesperson, who preferred to be addressed as General

Ben, had earlier in January, given a 31- day ultimatum to the Federal Government

to release Kanu, and vowed to launch attacks on oil installations as well

as Federal Government establishments.

The group had also warned that failure to release Kanu could force it to resort to

the kidnapping of expatriates.

Sunday Sun gathered that CML’s operations transcend the Niger Delta region.

This same group, it was gathered, was alleged to be responsible for the attack

on a merchant ship in February. The incident happened before the expiration

of 31-day ultimatum given by the CML.

In a statement released online, General Ben admitted that his group carried

out the operation, off Bakassi Peninsula on Nigerian waterways. He threatened

that his men would blow up the vessel and members of the crew onboard, adding

that the attack was carried out, “to let the government know that the group

does not make empty threats.”

Reacting to the group’s threat, the Federal Government had threatened to

treat the group like common criminals and saboteurs. Not deterred by the

threat, the group followed up with more attacks and blowing up of oil pipelines,

as well as killings of security personnel.

Sunday Sun gathered that the warlords are enjoying the backing of some

retired military officers who feel disgruntled over their premature retirement

from service. But, the CML has severally denied this.

Reacting to the claim, General Ben said the group had been on the struggle

for many years, adding that CML is moved by the realities in the country

and not influenced by any individual because, according to him, the supposed

backers could turn out to be saboteurs.

“Nobody is pushing us; we are the ones pushing ourselves because nobody

is a blind man in this country. The injustice, the marginalization going on

in this country is very clear. There is so much hardship, poverty in this country

and a few persons are controlling our commonwealth, while we are dying

of hunger. How can we be happy in a situation like this?

“Even if we are being backed up, does it really matter? If millions of people

are suffering and few individuals are acquiring wealth here and there, who

is selfish? We are saying that Nigerian government is selfish and we must resist

that.

“To us, the Federal Government has no case against Nnamdi Kanu. If they

refuse to let him go, we will refuse to let them have peace. There is no law in Nigeria.

The laws are targeted at the poor, not the rich. Court would say release this

person; government would refuse. So, there is no law because some individuals

seem to be above law. There is high level of impunity in this country.

“That is why we have decided to leave this country to another where

there would be rule of law. And that is Biafra. We strongly believe we would

achieve it by the grace of God. We are undaunted. It is obvious. Nothing would

make us back out from the struggle.

It is a vow. Look at the South-south region, the nation’s source of wealth for

instance. What shows that we are part of the country? You use the money from

this region to develop other areas and impoverish us,” he said.

General Ben said that CML is part of the NDA, stating that his group is in

support of the two-week ultimatum issued by Niger Delta Avengers to the oil

firms in the region. Similarly, the CML spokesman restated the group’s earlier

order that Fulani herdsmen should leave the region.

On the attacks on oil facilities, General Ben gave kudos to the NDA warriors,

describing the group’s activities as a welcome development to liberate the

Niger Delta region and their brothers in South-east. He warned that their next

targets would be Exxonmobil and Frontier Oil firms.

“What can forestall the execution of this operation is for the authorities

concerned to pay prompt attention to the issues that necessitated this agitation.

We want to cripple the economy of the country and to show the people ruling

this country that, militancy now is not and will not be what they witnessed

several years ago. We are reformed and have learnt from the past.”

On the likely consequences of the military/militants war already declared

by the Defence Headquarters, the CML spokesperson said it was unfortunate

that innocent people might be affected but he added that it was the price such

people might have to pay.

Reacting to a recent statement, where another group of militants condemned

the recent activities of NDA, the CML spokesperson described them as sellouts.

He said they were few individuals that had ‘dined with Federal Government’.

“We will not reply them; but we will surprise them beyond their imagination.

These persons know that they have nothing to say or do. The people countering

us are those that have dined with Federal Government. We are not going

to reply them. We are going to surprise them.

Source: http://sunnewsonline.com/expect-more-attacks-on-oil-installations-militant-leader-gen-ben/

Yorubasgreat:



But that doesn't mean we must be quiet when the said 'peacefully' is infringed...

If you don't say anything when the 'peacefully' is infringed, don't also say a word when the infringement was revolted.. Common Sense!

BankeSmalls:


The end justify the means.

mesoprogress:
It's a possibility that these guys are sponsored by disgruntled politicians from SS and SE. However, it may finally serve a good purpose. These regions has been practically raped of their natural resources.

idensko:


Pple still believe that Biafra is still about KANU

DEY fail 2 realize that d agitation seems to have overtaken KANU Himself.

That's why dis government is d dumbest in Nigeria history.

Killing KANU will not end d agitation but will wake create Another thousands KANU.

Dey would hv just ignored him, but d daura DSS decided 2 act like James bond. Dat was d moment dey got it all wrong.

hardcorevin:


hmmmmmmmm..every child talks about Kanu,so how will in future Govt to tell them to forget about Biafra....Kanu has Made History!!!!

989900B:
They are making Kanu's case worse.
At times, I feel the FG is even behind this, I mean how can anyone that wants Kanu's freedom be so st00pid?

whytetyre:

[s]You don't understand what it means to be st00pid[/s].

enlightenedmind:
Nigerians my Nigerians. Tribalism blocking logic. Hmmmmmmmmm. Unfortunately the SS have allowed demselves to b d collateral dammge in this polical game. Any1 that tells u dat Niger Delta Avengers i about Biafra is as ignorant and as clueless as IPOB. Avengers is very simple. Pumping up oil prices in intl mkt, which countries like China, Russia have major investments in.

These miscrants r getting paid hugely. Low oil prices is bad for OPEC, Nigeria, China, Brazil and Russia. Nigeria's shortage in production will ensure the prices r shot up in intl market n our Naira is saved. But since Nigeria cannot outrightly come n declare dat without breaking so called international trade laws, there r alternatives like Niger Delta Avengers.

Who benefits from NDA? OPEC, NIGERIA, CHINA, RUSSIA. NDA is actually good for nigeria. Our naira can be maintained n not devalued. Angola can continue to ship at increasing prices, China can continue to refine n distribute at near full prices.

in ture term, they r not really causing any long term damage, remember dese so called pipelines have a project dedicated to moving them underground, which is already in d works. so really they r clearing up d mess. If Lagos is really exporting fuel, den NDA has no effect on Nigeria, infact it is good 4 Nigeria.

In just 1 month of NDA crises, oil prices in intl mkt has shot up by 110% from $20 dollar per barrel to about $50.1 per barrel.

International politics is something every Nigerian must learn. Ur Biafran course n namdi Kanu is irrelevant to dose actually controllin Niger Delta Avengers.

RandomVic:
The people of Nigeria Delta has every right to be frustrated, angry and bitter. Take South Africa instance, Mining has been the mainstay of the economy of that country for hundreds of years - Gold to be specific. The regions where the precious stones are mined are one of the best places in Africa in terms of infrastructure developments and pretty much everything, Cape Town for example. Why hasn't the Nigerian government do same in the Niger Delta? Being the region that pretty much feeds every single one of us in this country I feel the region should have been given special status, as a matter of fact treat it like some fragile egg instead Niger Delta remains impoverish, unorganized, poor, dilapidated.... The militants are right!

waternogetemeny:
South south cannot continue to feed ingrates!

Only in Nigeria are Fulani beggars with throne and pribe, nowhere else, not even their native Guinea.

We want resource control, so we can use the oil to prepare for the post oil era by developing our region like Dubai.

Resource control is not negotiable.

Godgay:
they are making the economy worse

OohLalah:


Please stop using our country information wrongly Cape Town is the furthest part of the country from any mining activities.

989900B:
They are making Kanu's case worse.
At times, I feel the FG is even behind this, I mean how can anyone that wants Kanu's freedom be so st00pid?

calaway:


Very soon it will dawn on you.

You have nothing to bargain with.

JUSTICE ONLY can guarantee peace.

mile12crises:
More grease to the elbows of the militants.....

Buhari and his Fulani herdsman brothers are parasites that need to be cut off.


We can't be feeding some unproductive never-do-wells all the time

enlightenedmind:
Nigerians my Nigerians. Tribalism blocking logic. Hmmmmmmmmm. Unfortunately the SS have allowed demselves to b d collateral dammge in this polical game. Any1 that tells u dat Niger Delta Avengers i about Biafra is as ignorant and as clueless as IPOB. Avengers is very simple. Pumping up oil prices in intl mkt, which countries like China, Russia have major investments in.

These miscrants r getting paid hugely. Low oil prices is bad for OPEC, Nigeria, China, Brazil and Russia. Nigeria's shortage in production will ensure the prices r shot up in intl market n our Naira is saved. But since Nigeria cannot outrightly come n declare dat without breaking so called international trade laws, there r alternatives like Niger Delta Avengers.

Who benefits from NDA? OPEC, NIGERIA, CHINA, RUSSIA. NDA is actually good for nigeria. Our naira can be maintained n not devalued. Angola can continue to ship at increasing prices, China can continue to refine n distribute at near full prices.

in ture term, they r not really causing any long term damage, remember dese so called pipelines have a project dedicated to moving them underground, which is already in d works. so really they r clearing up d mess. If Lagos is really exporting fuel, den NDA has no effect on Nigeria, infact it is good 4 Nigeria.

In just 1 month of NDA crises, oil prices in intl mkt has shot up by 110% from $20 dollar per barrel to about $50.1 per barrel.

International politics is something every Nigerian must learn. Ur Biafran course n namdi Kanu is irrelevant to dose actually controllin Niger Delta Avengers.