The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have once again lived up to expectations by refusing to remain silent on issues relating to its activities. This time, the militant group has dissociated itself from reported peace talks that held at the Delta state government house last week. In their statement, the NDA also warned those they claim are politically motivating the peace talks for self interest. The representatives of the NDA are yet to join in the Federal Government’s proposed peace dialogues, contrary to reports which state that they have met with the officials of the Federal Government.

In two separate releases issued by the Avengers on their website last Friday and Saturday, the militants have stated that they are watching with keen interest, the unwholesome activities of some persons they described as political thugs and agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who want to undermine their struggle. The NDA also warned people they believe are linking their activities to that of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), which has purportedly named a team to negotiate with the Federal Government. The names mentioned include Mr Ebikabowei Ben (Boyloaf), Ayiri Emami, Timipre Silva, Adams Oshiomhole (Governor of Edo State).

“The high command of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) condemn in strong term the continuous efforts of Mr Ebikabowei Ben (Boyloaf), Ayiri Emami, Timipre Silva, Adams Oshiomhole and their paymasters to link and catch-in our activities to promote their political MEND that has purportedly named a team to negotiate with the Federal government.

“We are not, however, surprised by the resurrection of the defunct MEND by these personalities because these are groups of settled Ex-fighters that they have been arming, regrouping and rebranding over the years. The people of the Niger Delta know that the likes of Timipre Silva, Boyloaf and Ayiri Emami are professional conflict merchants in the region, the only surprise entry is the outgoing Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, which is not far fetched, as he wants some assistance and machineries from the criminal elements of the defunct MEND.”

“We are making the last appeal and warning to this so-called MEND to excuse the NDA from their criminal ways and gang ups. Nobody can ambush the struggle, the world knows that Boyloaf and his group of bank robbers have been settled since 2009 where he is still collecting stipends for ghost names in the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP). Please Mr. Victor Ben (Boyloaf), if you and your criminals want to resurrect the defunct MEND and negotiate with the Government that is your business but stop using ghost names to collect money from the Presidential Amnesty Program. That is our only advice and remember, we know all your activities,” the Avengers wrote on Saturday.

“We condemn, in its entirety, the continuous linking of the Niger Delta Avengers to any meeting with the Delta State Government in Asaba with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. We have never missed words in telling the world that the Niger Delta Avengers will not be part of any dialogue deal that will not bring about “the peace of our time; but we want a peace with honour,” as such, we can not be a party to any meeting with the likes of Ayiri Emami and his co-travellers that that are ready to kill and trade for the interest of pipeline, oil and gas facilities contract from the Government to bloat their pockets and urge fantasies,” the Avengers wrote on Friday.

Since the emergence of the Niger Delta Avengers early this year, the group has repeatedly claimed its agitation is more civilised than of its defunct counterpart – the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND). They have also said that the NDA is more concerned with the people of the Niger Delta unlike the former militants who were into kidnapping, killing of security personnel and hijacking of oil tankers and vessels. So far, the Niger Delta Avengers have claimed responsibility for about 14 attacks. Nigeria’s oil production has been halved by attacks on oil pipelines in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

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