On Thursday, Niger Delta agitators formally withdrew the quit notice they handed to Northerners and Yorubas to leave the oil rich region.

In a statement made available to The Guardian, the group resolved to suspend the planned attacks on oil installations in the region and set aside their intention to declare the republic of Niger Delta on October 1.

They also made peace with the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), with whom they had disagreed over who negotiates with the Federal Government.

The coalition of the agitators, led by General John Duku, said that the quit notice withdrawal, amongst other threats, was a sequel to the intervention of PANDEF and Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Forum (NENYLF) led by its Acting National Chairman, Comrade Imoh Okoko.

Nevertheless, they demanded the removal of the current Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr Maikanti Baru, from office.

Among signatories to the statement were General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener, Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors); Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters); Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw; (Bakassi Freedom Fighters) and Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice).

The statement reads inter alia: “After series of meetings yesterday between the high command of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators and the leadership of the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Forum (NENYLF), coupled with the intervention of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators, which comprises over 250 groups with their leaders and representatives present at yesterday’s meeting officially withdraw our quit notice issued to the Northerners and Yoruba living in Niger Delta region.”

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