Niger Delta ex-agitators threaten attacks on foreign vessels

Nine militant groups, under the aegis of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), have backed out of the ongoing peace talks with the Federal Government on non-violent approach to the continuous operations of oil and gas facilities in the region.

A statement on Tuesday by RNDA’s Coordinator, John Ezonbi, warned foreign oil vessels to steer clear of the Niger Delta or face dire consequences.

The peace talk between the RNDA and the Federal Government, which was initiated last year by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, was allegedly threatened recently by the appointment of Effiong Akwa as the Sole administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

An alleged non-recognition of the Niger Delta region in the policy statements by President Muhammadu Buhari, in his January 1 broadcast, is also another reason for the withdrawal.

RNDA threatened that as from tomorrow, its strike force units in the nine states of the region would start bombing and destroying oil facilities, pipelines, major oil ships and vessels coming from Lagos to the creeks.

The statement reads: “Major vessels and ships are advised to withdraw their services to Warri ESCRAVOS waters, Bonny NLNG Port Harcourt waters from the Gulf of Guinea to Nigeria waterways henceforth.

“Any ship and vessel that refuse to comply with our directive will meet with the firepower attacks from the strike force units of the RNDA. The operation is codenamed ‘Operation No Mercy Alfa Piper zero oil’ to save NDDC from the hands of politicians and some presidential aides involved in the plot to hold the Niger Delta to ransom.

“President Buhari refused to acknowledge that the region has been sustaining the economy of this country all these years, and should be given proper attention.

“We the strike force unit commanders of the RNDA, who are genuinely agitating for the overall development of the region, will not take such from Mr. President because without the daily production of crude oil in the creeks, there will be no Nigeria.

“Mr. President’s silence and refusal to inaugurate a substantive NDDC board, which had been screened and confirmed by Senate, and him, will not be accepted. President Buhari should also not hold the RNDA responsible because a word is enough for the wise; we can no longer tolerate the perpetual injustice and oppression against the Niger Delta.

Spokesman for Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) Maj. Victor Olukoya said it was not within his purview to comment on that. “Information on anything that has to do with operation should be gotten from Defence Media Operations in Abuja,” he said. (The Nation)