WARRI—NIGER Delta Avengers, the new militant group which has claimed responsibility
for attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta, has slammed those condemning its
operations and calling its members criminals, describing them as cowards.
The group also boasted that it has infiltrated the military, saying: “To the Nigeria
military, the Niger Delta Avengers is among you. And we know all your plans, so we will
always be 10 steps ahead of you.”
In a statement by its spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo, the group said: “We have been
seeing lots of reports about us in the media. Some are asking, who are they avenging?
Some are calling us empty heads, while ex-agitators have been condemning us on a
daily basis. To our critics from the region, we want you to know that you are all
cowards and afraid to stand for your people.”
Niger Delta activist and Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayiri Emami, Okerenkoko leader, Chief
Michael Johnny and Commandant-General of Riverine Security (Coast Guard of the
Federation), Commander Bibi Oduku, were among those that had branded the Avengers
as criminals.
The Avengers, which obviously has an axe to grind with ex-militant leader, Government
Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, said: “The Niger Delta Avengers is more concerned with
people of Niger Delta unlike you (ex-agitators) that were into kidnapping, killing of
Nigerian soldiers and piracy.
“But we were able to carry out all our operations without killing a fly. We have
sophisticated arms far better than what you used during your kidnapping days.
“After the amnesty Programme you (ex-agitators) have been enjoying patronize from the
government and royalty from multinational oil companies. While we (Avengers) have
been strategizing on how the voice of the Niger Deltans can be heard. We are fighting a
radical fight without taking any life.
“Let us make it clear to you, our elder brothers (ex-agitators) that we are not begging
you to join this campaign. We are young, educated, well traveled and most of us were
educated in East Europe, but do not worry, when we achieve our goal (sovereign state
of Niger Delta), then you people will be proud of us.
“In as much as we respect you as our elder brothers (ex-agitators), please do not dare
to stand on our way because if you do we will crash you. To the citizens of the Niger
Delta, who share same idea with us, we thank you all. Just know that no amount of
criticism within and outside the region can stop us.
“For the record, the Niger Delta Avengers is enjoying the blame game going around.
“In our meeting comprising all heads of the strike teams, which was held in Bayelsa, the
Niger Delta Avengers High Command concluded that if the military harass or invade any
community in the region, then you (Nigeria military) will get a feel of the Avengers,” it
added.
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