MUST READ....Why we accepted to dialogue with Federal Government – Niger Delta militants

hehehehe....One of the militant groups, ‘Niger Delta Volunteers, NDV, has hailed the recent moves by the Pan Niger Delta Forum led by Chief Edwin Clark to resolve the current crises in the region.
The group in a statement signed by its leader, Commander Ekpo Ekpo in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Monday, said they had decided to embrace dialogue.

The group said: “we have met and brainstormed over the crisis and following several hours of intensive deliberation, we the Niger Delta Volunteers have decided to accept dialogue with the federal government.

“Our decision according to them is based on the previous meetings we had with the leaders of Ibibio Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, who on each occasion pleaded with us to lay down our arms and embrace peace for the development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general.
“Today, all the major groups in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states have generally agreed to give the federal government the benefit of the doubt while hoping that it would fulfill its own part of the proposed dialogue.”

The group, however, urged the Federal Government to set up a program of restructuring the country for it to achieve full fiscal and political federalism, adding that it is the only panacea for peace.
While awaiting the outcome of the meeting between the Elders and the President the group, the group demanded that Exxon Mobil, Total E&P and all other oil & gas companies operating in Akwa Ibom State to as a matter of urgency open their operational offices in the State as contained in the Nigeria content law.

However, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate on Monday attacked another crude oil delivery line at Effurun-Otor, Ughelli South Council Area of Delta State.
 
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE, in the Niger Delta region, have arrested the chief priest of Bayelsa Strike Force, a militant group in Cross River State.
Olaolu Daudu, spokesman of the group, made this disclosure in a statement issued on Monday.
He said the shrine located in Ikot Offing Ambai in Akpabuyo local government area of the state, was destroyed. Daudu said a militant was also killed, while ammunitions were recovered.

“Troops deployed at Ikang border patrolled Ikot Offing Ambai in Akpabuyo local government area discovered militants shrine and also apprehended the chief priest of the group with empty box of ammunition at another shrine at Ekpri Ebutong Estate in Bakassi,” he said.
“During anti-militancy operation, troops of sector 4 raided Efut Esighi forest and killed a notorious militant popularly known as Okon Iyo while he was trying to escape.
“Troops discovered the dead body of one of the Bakassi Strike Force militants, who was earlier engaged in Efut Esighi but escaped with gun injuries. His body was seen in a bush close to the main road in Effionsa, Bakassi local government area.

“Meanwhile, troops also raided the compound of a suspected member of Bakassi Strike Force; Otobong Sunday Essien, at Road 27 Resettlement Center Bakassi.

“A Motor Bike was recovered from his compound. In addition, troops intercepted a Passat wagon car owned by a suspected Bakassi Strike Force militant known as ‘G1’. He is the sentry Commander of the group”, he added.
He stated that an attack on an oil facility in Delta State was foiled.
“On 31 October 2016, troops foiled vandalism of NPDC Well Head at Kokori Oil Field, Oil Mining Lease 30 located at Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State.
“Operation DELTA SAFE will continue to ensure sanity of the Niger Delta Region as law abiding members of the public go about their legitimate daily businesses”, he said.
Just few days ago, the group uncovered 25 human skulls in some militants’ hideouts in Cross River State.‎