After closed-door meeting with Buhari, N’Delta Minister begs Avengers for patience

Apparently worried by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) threat to resume attacks on oil installation, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, on Monday had a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The minister, who met with the president at the Presidential Vila to supposedly inform him of the current developmental efforts in the oil region, begged the angry NDA to exercise patience.

He made the plea when State House correspondent asked his response on the recent NDA announcement that it has called off its ceasefire and will now resume bloody attacks in the oil region as never before.

Usani further noted that the Federal Government was unwavering to the development of the region for which the Avengers are threatening fire and brimstone.

Accusing the Federal Government of not being serious with the development of the oil region of Niger Delta, the dreaded Avengers, whose activities late 2015 and in part of 2016 almost devastated Nigeria’s economy, had at the weekend announced it was going to resume bloodier attacks on oil installations in the region.

The group had last year declared a ceasefire to allow the Federal Government dialogue with leaders of the region, under the aegis of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), on the developmental needs of the people.

READ ALSO: Hours after soldier writes Buhari over corruption in Army, Buratai releases funds for payment of allowances

PANDEF, had in a 16 point agenda it presented to Buhari, listed what the oil region expected from the Federal Government, which according to them will help address the issue of reoccurring militancy in the area.

NDA and some other militant groups, who have declared their support for the new move to resume attacks in the oil region, have accused the Federal Government of not being interested to develop the region.

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now