[size=15pt]Dokubo -Asari condemns hostage taking [/size]


TONYTOTONY ITA ETIM, Port Harcourt

LEADER of Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujihad Dokubo-Asari has condemned hostage-taking and kidnapping in the Niger Delta region.

The condemnation was contained in his goodwill message to the people of Niger Delta to mark the 2007 Isaac Boro day.

Dokubo-Asari said that the unfolding scenario in the Ijaw and Niger Delta territories have convinced him that reactionaries and counter-revolutionary elements have hijacked and diverted the struggle from its original course to a destination that will not be in the best interest of our people.

He further lamented that "In our case what have we turned this effective and noble tool into? We turned it into a conduit pipe leading to easy money extortion to restore back dignity. Today, we waste valuable lives for the sole purpose of satisfying our insatiable greed. Nobody takes us seriously anymore.

"Whenever we take hostages, they say leave them, "when we give them money them go leave them." Even we are not ashamed. We boast to others who refuse to join our banditry and criminality that we are in the struggle when we are actually the enemies of our people, struggle and territory.

We will stand condemned in this world and in the hereafter, if we do not turn away from the path of disgrace,  we degenerated and deviated from the path of nobility, honour and dignity?"

The struggle, Dokubo-Asari noted has lost focus because of ideological bankruptcy as many have even taken the name and memory of their great soul to 419 and extort money from government, corporate organisation and individuals.

"Do we need to rubbish and desecrate all our sacred icons for a few pieces of silver?, Dokubo-Asari said.

The detained leader stated that NDPVF is an organisation with a strong bias against corruption, ideological prostitution and political moral bankruptcy and those who want to continue to claim to be part of the organisation, must urgently read its mission statement and change their lives and behaviour.

"By our rules, we will denounce you. There is no longer any room for "we no go chop?" We are not your parents, relations or a charitable organisation or an employment agency. You cannot force yourself on us and insist that you must be part of us when you are not ready to abide by our rules. We will not allow you to put sand in our garri. Enough is enough or you would be shown the way out," warned Dokubo-Asari.

He advocated for the setting up of a government in exile by the Ijaws and Niger Delta indigenes in diaspora and pointed out that most struggles for the liberation of occupied territories are led by persons in diaspora.

"Brothers and sisters, the victory for the struggle for the liberation of our people can only be realised if you seize this opportunity and orgnaised yourselves into a vanguard for the propagation of the fundamental issues at take in our quest for the restoration of our independence and dignity.

Source: http://odili.net/news/source/2007/may/28/502.html

This is the best news that has come out of Nigeria in a while. Dokubo speaks the truth. Yes the people of the Niger Delta were and are neglected, but Militant groups like MEND are not Addressing the issues that need to be solve; Adequately. On the contrary they are adding to the Problem.

Prior to the emrgence of the Niger Delta Militants(Freedom Fighters) The Region was in poverty, but relatively peaceful. Now the region is in poverty and at War. Do they expect to quench the thirst of their people via extortion?. The very resources they plunder are the very things that can rescue the peope of the Niger Delta from their sorrow.

This should be a battle of leadership, not a scramble for resources. They should revolt and Overthrow corrupt leaders, not sabotage development.

These are the best words to come out of Dokubo's mouth.