The Niger Delta Avengers, the militant group blowing up oil facilities on Friday said ex-leaders of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) met with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu and not members of the Avengers.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Brig. Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, the group said it will not take part in any dialogue that involves ex-militants who are only after oil and gas facilities contract and not the interest of the Niger Delta people.
Mr. Kachikwu had claimed a couple of days ago that he was discussing with the representatives of the militants with a view to ensuring lasting peace in the Niger Delta.
However, Agbinibo, described ex-militants who met with the Minister as agents of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The statement titled “Niger Delta Struggle is not for Political Thugs” reads in full:
“We are watching with keen interest the unwholesome activities of the political thugs and agents of APC to undermine the Niger Delta struggle in the likes of Mr. Ayiri and gangs.
“Few days ago, he and his group was parading, regrouping, rebranding and re-arming defunct Ex-MEND and settled Militants leaders discussing pipelines, oil and gas facilities contract in Edo State Government house.
“Today he and his co-travelers are in delta state Government house, the Itsekiri Militants leader with community leaders and unfortunately branding them as representatives of Niger Delta Avengers for self-gain and political survivals.
“We condemn its entirety the continuous linking of the Niger Delta Avengers to any meeting in Delta State Government in Asaba with Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.
“We have never missed words in telling the whole listening world that the Niger Delta Avengers will not be part any dialogue deal that will not bring about “the peace of our time; but we want a peace with honour” as such we could not be a party to any meeting with the likes of Ayiri Emami and his co- travelers 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.”
