Niger Delta: Elders declare militants’ attack if FG refuses to hasten peace process

Niger Delta militants to strike if FG does not speed up peace process- Niger Delta Elders

A union of Niger Delta elders, under the auspices of Pan Niger Delta People’s Congress (PNDPC), has established contacts with the leadership the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) over the threat of renewed hostilities and bombing of oil facilities in the region.

Spokesman of the NDA, General Murdoch Agbinibo, stated that the group had threatened that the militants would restart warfare in the region with Operation Red Economy, aimed at destroying Nigeria’s economy over the snail speed of the Federal Government in the peace process in the region.

NDA’s threat is said to have triggered concerned security operatives to liase with some influential elders, enjoining them to talk to the militants not to throw the region into a fresh state of chaos.

Confirming their contact with the NDA, the media coordinator of the PNDPC, Olorogun Monday Whiskey said they had contacted the NDA head with the offer to reconsider their plans and contemplate on sustaining the peace enjoyed in the state, in recent times. He added that they urged the group to be open to dialoguing with the Federal Government.

Whiskey said, “We reached out to them and prevailed on them that dialogue is the best option. We also told them that we believe that equity, justice and fair play. We believe the APC led Federal Government should not create room for questionable characters to negotiate base on selfish notion for the people of the region.

“The Niger Delta Avengers should be reasonable in their threats and the Federal Government should also be proactive on the issues of the region.

“We also told the Niger Delta Avengers to be reasonable and that 24 hours is not enough to resolve the demands they have made on Federal Government. We believe that the contentious issues of the region needs to time to be resolved.

He added that “The Federal Government should give peace a chance and treat all sections of the country equally.”

‎A source within the NDA revealed that the militants are examining the pleas from the Niger Delta elders and would come to a conclusion, after a crucial meeting it would hold with its commanders from its areas of operation.