Palpable tension is brewing in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, following warning of possible commencement of hostility by a militant group identified Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
Africa Today News, New York gathered that the fierce militant group, which threatened to cripple the nation’s economy by attacking critical oil and gas facilities across the region, also threatened to attack major politicians from the region for their roles in the under-development of the region.
NDA’s threat was contained in a statement titled ‘We Are Back With Operation Humble‘, posted on its site yesterday morning, in which it also announced the change of leadership to its command.
The militant group further accused the Federal Government of failing to meet its demands to speed up the development of the region since it declared a ceasefire, following the intervention of leaders and stakeholders from the area.
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It also pledged to force the country into a recession as it did in 2016, noting that Nigeria might not recover from the recession anytime soon if that happens.
Part of the statement as obtained by Africa Today News, New York read:
‘There is no gainsaying that the failed country called Nigeria which has fed fat on our God-given wealth is at the brink of total disintegration, owing to the security and related challenges across the country; ranging from terrorism and banditry in the North, to the secessionist gongs of the Oduduwa people of the South-west and IPOB of the South-east it is obvious that peace in the Niger Delta, and by extension, the South-South geopolitical region is the very thin piece still binding this country together.
‘It is disheartening that despite being the economic backbone and having resolved to maintain the peaceful environment for the smooth operations of the oil multinationals whose proceeds the country cling unto for economic survival, the Niger Delta and the South-South remain the most under developed, with our needs and interests undermined by the failed Nigerian State.
‘We decided to suspend our famous operation red economy‚ which bled the Nigerian economy into recession about 4 years ago not because we are lazy, but for the love we have for our people and out of respect for the voice of the elders of the Niger Delta region, who beckoned on us to give peace a chance and avail the government time to act on our demands at the time.’
The militant group noted that it decided to resume hostility because its high command has exhausted its patience to allow the government to speed up the development of the region.
It also passed a vote of no confidence on the Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), elders, and ex-agitators in the region, accusing them of frolicking with the government at the detriment of its people.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK