As Ceasefire Collapses, Niger Delta Avengers Resume Operation In Pipeline

The militant group’s spokesperson claimed the Bonny 48-inch crude oil export line in Rivers State was blown up, saying it was a signal to President Muhammadu Buhari over his administration’s ambiguous attitude to the proposed Niger-Delta dialogue and negotiation with stakeholders. Before government postponed the summit last Friday night, information was alleged to have leaked that Clark; a former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Roland Owie; Ledum Mitee; a former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Brodrick Bozimo; Air Commodore Idongisit Nkanga (rtd.); Chief Isaac Jemide; Dr Monday Okonny; Chief Timi Alaibe and Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, would not be part of the summit. Indeed, the leaders, including a former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Idada Ikpomwen (retd.); Col Paul Ogbebor(retd.); Chief Francis Doukpola; Prof. Lucky Akaruese; Mr. O’MacEmakpore; High Chief Johnson Opone; Prof. G. G. Darah, Hon; Chief T. K. O. Okorotie; Dr. Efiong Edunam; P. Z. Aginighan and Prince Maikpobi Okareme, had prepared a position paper. Other leaders against the summit were Chief Douglas Naingba, Chief Simeon Efenudu, Dr. Emmanuel Akpanobong, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, Mr. Tony Uranta, Nella Ewa, SAN and Chief Ogar. The Niger Delta leaders said in the position paper: “We reaffirm our collective resolve to only engage the Federal Government through a credible dialogue process with accredited representatives of the Niger Delta region to proffer long lasting solutions to the protracted Niger Delta insurgency and not a summit of this type. “They said the summit is organized to down play the factor of serious dialogue between the critical stakeholders, who have the mandate and authority to negotiate with the Federal Government. “That due to the cessation of hostilities on our national assets by the armed agitators of the Niger Delta, oil production has increased to 1.7mbpd and if the peace process is further deepened, with proper negotiation, the possibility of reaching national oil production targets, is very realistic. “Therefore, this should serve as an impetus to commence the negotiation process, rather than engaging in frivolities and trivialities. We are of the opinion that the Federal Government should not unnecessarily take steps that could lead to a relapse to insurgency by its inaction. “The same Federal Government that feigns ignorance of whom to interface with is seen actively orchestrating false flag operations and sponsoring diverse bodies with the intent of dividing the region’s already unified fronts and justifying a continuation of the balkanisation of the region to facilitate uncontrolled access to its resources.”