Niger Delta militants give Nigerian govt 90-day ultimatum

A Coalition of Niger Delta militants on Wednesday gave the Federal Government a 90-day ultimatum to implement restructuring and resource control, return oil blocs in the region to the people as well as ensure that oil and gas companies relocate their headquarters to the oil region.

The group vowed to declare Niger Delta Republic, resume attacks on specific oil fields and installations should the Federal Government fail to attend to their demands at the expiration of the ultimatum.

On the specific oil field and gas it will attack should the Federal Government fail, group said, “Our principal targets are Usan, Ima, Okoro/Setu and Asabo oil fields, Okwok, Asuokpu/Umutu fields, OML 112, OML 117, Ebok, Obe oil field, Akpo, OPL 215, 840, OPL 733, 809, 810, 722, 905, 246, 110, 112, 117 etc, other facilities also marked by our strike team are Total Nigeria Ltd, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Intels and Adax Petroleum.”

The agitators explained that the decision was sequel to three weeks of consultations and meetings across the Niger Delta region, adding that in a resolution adopted in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday, that it gave Fulani herdsmen one month to vacate the region or face dire consequences.

Among the agitators that signed the resolution were John Duku for Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener, Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators; Ekpo Ekpo for Niger Delta Volunteers; Osarolor Nedam for Niger Delta Warriors and Simply Benjamin for the Bakassi Strike Force, among others.

The militants who threatened that there would be no one Nigeria if their demands are not met, added, that “We shall officially declare Niger Delta Republic after 90 days, if the Federal Government fails to implement the above demands,” the group said.

The agitators added, “We also demand that all the northerners living in the Niger Delta to quit the region if the Federal Government fails to implement the above demands within the stipulated time. We also call on our people living in the North to also return to the Niger Delta for their safety.

Commenting on rampaging herdsmen the group said, “The massive killings all over the country by Fulani herdsmen are fully sponsored by top government functionaries, especially the security chiefs, who supply them with weapons with sole aim of achieving cattle colony and Islamic agenda.

“The idea of having cattle colony was already in the mind of President Buhari before he contested the 2015 election. The whole world can now see the reason he appointed all security chiefs from the North, including DG of NIA, who is supposed to be replaced by someone from the South.

“The Coalition believes that the killings by the Fulani herdsmen are direct invitation to civil war and we are fully prepared to fight with the last drop of blood to protect the Niger Delta people and her territorial environment.

“The Coalition also condemns the endorsement of the President as APC candidate for 2019 election by some self-centered governors and politicians. Those calling on President Buhari to seek re-election are the real enemies of Nigeria.

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“A government that launched ‘Operation Crocodile Smile I & II’ in the Niger Delta, despite the peaceful atmosphere, in the region. ‘Operation Python Dance I & II’ in the South East, destroyed people and properties just to silence IPOB and further declare a non-violent IPOB as terrorist organization.

“It would suddenly turn deaf ears on terrorist activities of Fulani herdsmen taking place all over the country on daily basis. We shall no longer tolerate any further bloodshed within the Niger Delta states by the terrorists Fulani herdsmen.

“We shall ensure that our people are protected from every Fulani terrorist; it is very unfortunate that the government that swore to protect the lives and properties of its citizens has suddenly become sectional government, and lacks powers to protect the masses.

“And we warn that any Niger Delta governor that accepts cattle colony would be dealt with as the enemy of the Niger Delta. We don’t want Fulanis among us, they are our enemies”

 

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