Politicians have acquired 48,000 guns, 3,500 thugs for election in Niger Delta, Militants reveal

A group of militants in the Niger Delta have revealed that ammunitions and political thugs have been mobilised to Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The militants made this revelation on Friday in a statement released via electronic mail and signed by nine militant groups.

Among the signatories of the statement issued via electronic mail on Thursday are John Duku of Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators; Jomo Gbomo (Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta), Mudoch Agbinibo (Niger Delta Avengers), Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers), Simple Benjamin (Bakassi Strike Force) and Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors).

Others are Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters), Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters), Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice) and Duke Emmanson (Niger Delta Fighters Network).

The groups said over 48,000 AK-47 rifles, pump action shotguns, pistols, ammunition and other weapons had been moved to different locations in the region.

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The statement read, “The Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators wishes to use this medium to draw the attention of the general public and the International Community to the mass movement of sophisticated arms and ammunition to the South-South zone of the country.

“This is for the sole purpose of distributing same to already recruited thugs/youths. Within the last one month, over 48,000 AK-47 rifles, pump action shotguns, pistols, ammunition and other weapons have been moved to different locations in the Niger Delta region.

“There is the proliferation of dangerous weapons in the Niger Delta region brought in by politicians to cause mayhem in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.”

The groups also explained that some top politicians have reached out to some high ranking militants in the region to recruit 3,500 thugs
“Already, one of our Generals has been contacted by a top official of a political party to supply about 150 of his boys who will be part of the 3,500 thugs they want to use in each state of the Niger Delta region for their nefarious activities during the forthcoming elections.

“The negotiators have agreed on the payment of N100,000 per thug on election day, while the leaders (Generals) will earn N1m each.

“They have also procured fake military and police uniforms, which these thugs will wear. They are all out to foment trouble in the area, particularly in Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states.”

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