New Niger Delta Insurgency: Groups For, and Those Against Attacks.
With the recent attacks on oil and gas installations at the Niger Delta, C.V.Akuta Media, is looking at some Niger Delta groups that are in support or against attacks. Niger Delta avengers appears to be top on the list. They have claimed responsibilities for some attacks, especially the blown up Escravos gas pipeline, at Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta States. They have also threatened to create a breakaway Sovereign States of Niger Delta. Red Egbesu Water Lions is another group named by sources, to be in support of increased attacks.
The following groups are in support of the federal government and therefore against attacks. They are National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex Agitators, whose national President Mr Israel Akpodoro, warned the federal government against, negotiating with the new militant groups, like the Niger Delta Avengers and Red Egbesu Water Lions.
Meanwhile, according to Thisday, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), a group of ex-militants, have resolved to continue to respect the unilateral ceasefire of hostilities which it declared on May 30, 2014.
The group urged those behind the attacks to stop the bombing of oil and gas installations and allow President Mohammad Buhari to fulfill his electoral promises.
In a statement issued in Yenagoa, Reuben Wilson, also known as General Pastor, MEND called on the aggrieved youths from the region to shun the temptation of resorting to violence and destruction of oil installations.
“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wishes to condemn and dissociate itself from the recent activities carried out by a group known as the ‘Niger Delta Avengers’.
“Their sudden emergence has absolutely nothing to do with the Niger Delta struggle, but is rather a tool by certain elements to destabilise the current government.
“Going by their actions and subsequent statements, it has become very apparent on who the sponsors of these group are.
“MEND serves notice to the international community that the Niger Delta region shall not be part of a secessionist Biafran State.
“Rather, the group believes in one strong united Nigerian federation where the principles and ideals of resource control; true federalism; the rule of law/respect for human rights; democracy; free enterprise; and a vibrant civil society are well entrenched in the grund norm and put to practice,” the group said.
