Tag Archives: ‘Avengers’

Blame FG for renewed attacks on oil facilities – Avengers

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The Niger Delta Avengers on Sunday told the leaders of the Niger Delta region under the Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Forum not to blame the group for renewed attacks on oil facilities in the region despite ongoing peace parley with the Federal Government.

 

The militant group said they could not help but bring down some oil facilities in the region because the Federal Government had allegedly refused to honour the ceasefire terms they both entered before they heeded the calls of the region’s leaders and traditional rulers to use dialogue as a means to ending the crisis in the region.

 

A statement issued by the group’s spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, told Clark and other leaders to blame both the Federal Government and the Nigerian military for the fresh attacks.

 

They added that the government was using military force to undermine the peace process by ‘unnecessarily’ harassing communities and arresting innocent people in the region.

 

The statement partly read, “…We see this as a deliberate move by the military establishment to undermine any effort of dialogue and negotiations with the people of the Niger Delta.”

 

NDA added that the struggle in the region did not just start for the sake of bearing arms against the Nigerian government, it stressed that over six decades of economic and constitutional colonialism against the region led to the struggle.

 

It added that not until the burning issues of resource control, fiscal federalism and inclusive development of the region were vigorously addressed, the use of military might would not stop the struggle as the people would fight “even with bare hands.”

 

“We ask for understanding on the side of the PANDEF and the general public. The High command of the NDA is only reacting to government’s deliberate attempts to undermine the dialogue process and negotiations.”

Trump’s victory brought hope for Niger Deltans – Avengers

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The Niger Delta Avengers have congratulated the President-elect of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump, on his electoral victory in the Presidential elections held on Tuesday.

 

The Avengers said Trump’s victory brought hope to the agitation for the economic emancipation and fiscal federalism in the region.

 

In a electronic mail sent late Wednesday evening by its spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, said the people of the Niger Delta would come victorious just like Trump who fought against world establishments to win the tensed election.

 

The statement read, “The High Command of the Niger Delta Avengers, the organization at the forefront of the agitation for the economic emancipation and fiscal federalism for the people of the Niger Delta congratulates Donald J Trump, the President-Elect of the United States of America.

 

“Your hard fought victory against world establishments is hope for the over thirty million oppressed minorities of the Niger Delta, that have being continuously raped and economically colonized because of our God-given resources over last six decades, by the Nigerian state and Islamic fundamentalists in power.”

 

While expressing desire and believe to work with the US President-elect towards bringing to the world a real change, it added, “we are hoping for a new perfect economic order and relations as it concerns the United States critical assets and interest in the Niger Delta.”

Niger Delta Avengers Congratulate Trump

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Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, the militant group at the forefront of the agitation for fiscal federalism in Nigeria and economic emancipation of the Niger Delta region, has commended the President – Elect of the United States of America, Donald J Trump.

The group in a statement by its spokesperson: self-styled Brigadier General Mudoch Agbinibo, asserted: “Your hard fought victory against world establishments is hope for us, the over 30 million oppressed minorities of the Niger – Delta that have being continuously raped and economically colonized because of our God-given resources, over the last six decades, by the Nigerian state and Islamic fundamentalists in power.”

“Mr. President elect of the United States of America sir, we are hoping for a new perfect economic order and relations as it concerns the United States’ critical assets and interest in the Niger Delta.

“Lead the world to a real change not the President Barack Obama change that manipulated a clueless puppet in General Muhammadu Buhari on the people of Nigeria,” NDA said.

Credit:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/niger-delta-avengers-congratulate-trump/

Niger Delta Avengers Weakened as JTF Foils Another Attack on Chevron Escravos Pipeline in Delta

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President Muhammadu Buhari wednesday held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Senate.

The president also met separately with Senators from the South-east.

The senators at the meeting, held at the president’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, were led by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.
After the meeting with the lawmakers, they exited while Buhari held a personal meeting with Saraki.

The meeting came about a week after the Senate rejected Buhari’s request to borrow $29.9 billion from external sources.

The lawmakers, across party divide, rejected the application without debate, saying it did not come with relevant information such as purpose, means of repayment and among others.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Ekweremadu said: “For us from the South-east, we believe that dialogue is better than any other form of engagement. So we decided to visit the president and present to him some of the concerns of the South-east including the issues of roads, general infrastructure: the rail, airports. We also discussed the issue of security with him and of course the issue of Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB.) We had a good conversation with the president, and he promised to look into the issues.”

The Chairman of the South-east Caucus in the Senate, Eyinnaya Abaribe, who was also at the meeting with the president, said the South-east caucus came to see the president over raging issues in the region.

He said: “This is the South-east caucus in the Senate and we came to see the president because of the issues we have in the South-east.

“We had a fruitful discussion with the president. He has promised us that he is going to look into the problems of region.

“We know that there are problems everywhere but we also believe that the South-east is the zone that is far much shortchanged at this time than other zones.

We also talked about the issue of appointments from the South-east, especially with respect to the National Security Council. The president also told us that governors of the South-east have also engaged him on the same problems we engaged him on.

“There is a concerted effort from the people of the South-east to be sure that we engage with this government meaning fully.

“We are reassured with the response we got from the president and we look forward to further interaction with him in this manner.”

Others in the delegation were: Sam Egwu, Hope Uzodima, Andy Uba and Chukwuka Utazi.

Credit: ThisDay

Army foils Avengers’ attempt to bomb gas facility, kills two.

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The Joint Military Force deployed to the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe, says it successfully repelled an attack by Niger Delta Avengers at a gas facility in Delta State and killed two pirates in ongoing operations in the region.

A statement by Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Daudu, the spokesman of the Joint Force, made this known in Bayelsa State on Tuesday.

Daudu said the operations were carried out between Saturday and Tuesday.

He said: “Troops deployed at Delta State while on watch at the Nigeria Gas Company Outpost in Batan/Egwa Area of Warri South West Local Government of Delta encountered suspected militants who claimed to be members of Niger Delta Avengers.

“They came in two 200 Horsepower Speed capacity boats but were subsequently engaged and repelled. Effort is ongoing to apprehend the criminals.

“Troops also rescued a Passenger boat from sea robbers at Idoro River in Ozobo Community, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State.

“While trying to escape, the sea robbers’ boat collided with that of the passenger boat and capsized.

“Four of the suspected sea robbers were arrested however, four locally made double barrel guns belonging to the suspects fell into the river.

“Efforts are ongoing to recover the guns while suspects are in custody for further investigation. They are presently in custody for further investigation.”

Daudu also said that troops on patrol at Asugbo Tibigbene and Beneth River Warri South Local Government Area impounded a wooden boat carrying 53 drums of illegally refined substance at Asugbo.

Also, troops, while on clearance operation at Yorkiri, Obotobo, Chamomi Creek Okerenkoko and Open River, arrested a Cotonou boat conveying Jerrycans for possible loading of substance.

The Spokesman said that in another development troops arrested a 21-year-old man, Usman Jafar, an indigene of Adamawa State, who had been parading himself as a serving soldier.

The suspect allegedly robbed Atima Aghogho along Ajanuga Road and the following items were also recovered from him: one fake Nigerian Army Identity Card, one First Bank of Nigeria ATM Card and an iPhone belonging to one of his victims.

Daudu said: “Following a tip off, troops in conjunction with members of Petroleum Task Force conducted a raid at Ifieporo community in Warri South Local Government and discovered an area used or storage of stolen petroleum products

“Other items discovered are several rubber drums and Jerricans containing substance suspected to be illegal oil bunkering mats.

“Troops also recovered a black coloured Audi vehicles loaded with several water proof bags containing substance suspected to be products of illegal bunkering.

“Following another tip off troops discovered four identified hideouts used for storing substance suspected to be illegally refined Automated Gas Oil around Ohoro junction, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

“No arrests were made while troops are on the trail of the perpetrators.”

Daudu also said that on Tuesday the troops arrested one suspected bugler, while on routine check, with N136,000 cash, one Infinix Note II handset and one other handset.

He said the items and the suspect would be handed over to the Nigeria Police.

He said: “Troops at Batan reported a loud sound suspected to be an explosion.

“Further findings revealed that a Barge carrying equipment used for the repairs of the Trans Forcados Pipeline at the repair site in Eweregbene community was blown by suspected Niger Delta Avengers militants who retreated after troops repelled the attack.

“However, two un-exploded dynamites were found at the scene on a branch and swamp buggy were successfully detonated by troops.”

“Stop claiming responsibility for our bombings” – Avengers tells NDGJM

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There are indications of hostilities within the camp of militant groups in the Niger Delta region.

This was as the Niger Delta Avengers berated the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, NDGJM, for claiming responsibility for most of the attacks carried out on pipeline in the region.

NDGJM has severally claimed responsibility for attack on pipeline installations across the oil rich region.

But Avengers spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo, in a series of tweets on its twitter handle @AgbinibiND, on Monday said NDGJM was making false claims.

Aginibo wrote: “Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, NDGJM group blowing up of 3-inch and 6- inch flow lines shouldn’t give you wings.

“NDGJM, why not try your hands on major pipelines if you can. NDGJM, stop claiming responsibilities for bombings carried out by wannabes and aggrieved youths that are not part of your group.

“The Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate (NDGJM) has been claiming responsibility lately in the region, but I want to tell you that most of the works are not done by the group.

“You might want to ask me how I got to know about this; we are insiders and we know ourselves. Most of the claims of bombing by NDGJM are done by wannabes or aggrieved community youths.

“The Trans Forcados Pipeline is one of such jobs they claimed responsibility but was not done by NDGJM.”

NDGJM over the weekend warned the Federal Government to prepare for another onslaught on oil facilities in the region in no distant time, stressing that it would not be a part of the ceasefire declared by sister militant groups.

Niger Delta militants threaten more attacks.

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The militant group, Niger-Delta Avengers, on Monday warned President Muhammadu Buhari not to deal with some persons it tagged as “sycophants” in his quest for peace in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region.

The group gave the warning in a fresh statement issued by its spokesman, Mudoch Agbimbo.

It asked the President to visit the region to find out things for himself, saying, “You cannot treat the Niger Delta region with disdain while you treat your brothers that are terrorists and kidnappers (Boko Haram) like kings and queens by committing the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement from Geneva to witness your transaction with them before they released their hostages to you.”

The statement further read, “We are disposed to dialogue but we want Mr. President to come down and negotiate with us rather than using his political aides who are sycophants and will be feeding him with wrong information. We will not take such from Mr. President; we want him to interface with us as a way to providing a lasting solution to the Niger-Delta crisis; we will not interface with political sycophants.”

Just few days ago, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate warned the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari not to rejoice yet over the recent rise in oil production in the country.

The violent group warned the current government to prepare for another attacks on oil facilities in the region in the no distant time.

However, the President of the Ijaw National Congress, Chief Boma Obuoforibo, has stated that the Niger-Delta stakeholders will not give the Federal Government an ultimatum or deadline to implement their demands for the development of the region.

According to him, the stakeholders were hopeful that the President would not rescind on his promise to alleviate the sufferings of the Niger-Delta people.

He said, “We are not going to be negative about the ability of the Federal Government to implement the demands because we have a positive mindset and we have never reached this length in the past, we are doing all this in good faith.”

Avengers Blow Up Chevron Export Pipeline In Delta

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Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, at about 3.40 am, today (Tuesday), bombed a Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, offshore Export Pipeline at Escravos, Warri South-West Local Government Area in Delta State. The militant group in a tweet by its spokesperson, self-styled Brig Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, confirming its involvement, said: “At about 3:45am, our strike team 06 took down Chevron Escravos export pipeline at Escravos offshore.”

It stated:”This action is to further warn all IOCs’ that when we warn that there should be no repairs pending negotiation/dialogue with the people of the Niger Delta, it means there should be no repairs.”

“Any attempt to use dialogue to distract us so as to allow the free flow of our oil will halt the dialogue process,” NDA added. Before Niger Delta Avengers claimed responsibility for the attack, today, chair, Ugborodo Community, Ofe Nene, who was contacted by one of our reporters at about 8.00 am, confirmed the explosion, saying: “I do not have details of the incident, but a blast occurred last night at an offshore location.”

A security official, who refused commenting on the incident, said: “It is either an attack or a spill; our men in the field were woken up at about 4.00 am by local fishermen that noticed the spill.”

“For now, we cannot confirm if it was as a result of militant attack or rupture on the pipeline, but all I can say is that as I speak with you, there is a spill in the area from a damaged pipeline belonging to Chevron Nigeria Limited.”

Attempts to speak with the General Manager – Policy, Government and Public Relations, Chevron, Mr. Deji Haastrup, were fruitless at the time of this report.

Credit:

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/avengers-blow-chevron-export-pipeline-delta/

Military operation won’t stop us – Militants

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Adaka Boro Avengers (ABA) has said military presence in the Niger Delta will not stop agitation for control of resources.

The ABA said hostilities will soon break out in the Niger Delta but held out that it is ready for a dialogue process that would be led by Chief Edwin Clark.

“All we want you to know is that hostilities in the Niger Delta region will soon begin because the time that was given to you was enough for any meaningful dialogue. This does not mean we are not ready for dialogue.

“We are ready for any meaningful dialogue process that will be headed by Chief Edwin Clark. We want you to know that whenever you are ready to engage in any meaningful dialogue process, you know what to do. Our demands still remain the same. We want to control our resources and pay appropriate tax to the central government; that is fiscal federalism in practice and in principles.”

Government, representatives of multinational oil corporations and elders as well as stakeholders should guide themselves with the following documents: the Sir Henry Willinks Commission Report of 1958, The Ogoni Bill of Rights, The Kaiama Declaration of the Ijaw Youth Council, The General Alexander Ogomudia Committee Report, The Niger Delta Technical Committee Report which contains the Pre- amnesty issues and agreement with the government of Nigeria in 2009…”

In a related development, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) said the region has the right to demand control of its resources, just as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said it has endorsed the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and representative of Pan Niger Delta Group (PNDG), Chief Clark slated for October 31.

NDA spokesman, Murdcoh Agbinibo said the Niger Delta region is not a conquered region and the people have a legitimate right to demand control of their resources which is a struggle different from tribal and religious bigotry.

He, however, said “the region is not a conquered unit of the Federation called Nigeria. It is our legitimate right to control our resources and pay appropriate taxes to the central government.

Those concepts of revenue sharing and allocation formula are alien to federalism. Anywhere in the world, there are conflicts, there emerges merchants of conflict and Niger Delta is no exception.

“However, it is the responsibility of government or any interventionist agencies to identify and address conflict agents with genuine intents and spirit rather than pseudo-agents and political profiteers.”

Meanwhile, MEND’s spokesman, Jomo Gbomo in a statement endorsed a proposed meeting between President Buhari and Clark.

“Nevertheless, with news of the forthcoming meeting between president Buhari and the Chief Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Group, we are confident that the concessions already secured by MEND shall be respected by the Federal Government.

“Consequently, we urge members of the Clark-led PNDG to put aside personal interests and ambitions of primitive aggrandisement.

“Rather, we implore them to realise that the Niger Delta region is at a Zebra-crossing and, therefore, they must remain steadfast and focused on their core mandate, to wit: restoration of sustainable and permanent peace and development of the region.”

“Then, the framework can be drawn for achieving the short, medium and long term objectives toward the restoration of our land and reparation for the people that have been raped and colonized since 1914,” General Edmos Ayayeibo spokesperson Adaka Boro Avengers wrote.

Niger Delta: Avengers Threaten to Resume Attacks on Oil Facilities

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The Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, has issued a strong fresh warning to the Federal Government that it would resume bombing of oil facilities if the government made any further mistake to enter into negotiation with selfish leaders in the region.

The group said the so-called leaders only represented themselves instead of the interest of the people.

The Avengers in a statement accused some unnamed selfish Niger Delta leaders and groups of appropriating the overall interest of the region to themselves and cronies, while the majority wallowed in penury.

A spokesman for the NDA, who gave his name as Col. Rightman Hudson Opukurowari, in the statement, warned that any attempt by the government to engage in any form of dialogue with Niger Delta leaders who had allegedly hijacked the commonwealth of the people for their selfish interest, would be resisted.

Opukurowari said: “Since we had agreed to suspend bombing oil facilities and enter into genuine dialogue with the government, the administration has not shown any seriousness in talking to the right set of people to move the peace process forward.

“Two months after the ceasefire, it has become clear to the world that this government has not been sincere and serious in meeting the simple demands of the people to put in place a concrete plan of transforming the landscape and giving us any sense of hope despite our critical contribution to the commonwealth of the nation.

“From the way the government is going after we had suspended bombings, it is clear to the world that the Federal Government is not ready to make peace with us as earlier promised and we are under pressure to resume our attacks.

It is obvious that the Muhammadu Buhari administration has rather chosen to be nonchalant to the dialogue and has deliberately decided to invite only their political friends for a dinner in the name of dialogue, by their own selective measures, thereby ignoring the chance for real peace and dialogue with the appropriate persons and groups.

“The Government is trying to avoid a holistic approach to addressing the real issues affecting us and finding solutions to them but merely taking time off to engage those we see as “Niger Delta Vultures” sitting in Abuja with their sponsors, taking credit for our genuine agitations.

“We have watched and observed that with the body language of the President and the composition of the so-called dialogue group, no meaningful solution will be proffered unless the government invites all concerned and genuine individuals and groups for the purpose of finding a lasting solution to the crisis in the region.

“We hereby warn that any action taken by the government to provoke us to resume hostilities would be more brutal than before until we enter the promised land.

“We are concerned because these same persons invited for the scheduled dialogue have become Federal Government dialogue contractors and they do not represent the interest of the generality of the people.”

Avengers Claim 20 Soldiers Murdered During Military Operations In Niger Delta

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Militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), have claimed that around 20 Nigerian soldiers were murdered during the first four days of the ongoing military operation exercise code-named “Operation Crocodile Smiles” in the Niger Delta.

Spokesperson for the group, Brig Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, in a statement on its website claimed that the soldiers’ death which has been concealed by top brass of the military was due to negligence, administrative greed and corruption within the military.

“Mr. President from available facts, the untimely deaths of these four (4) fine soldiers in the creeks of Bayelsa and another sixteen (16) that was recorded during the first four days of the exercise along the River Ethiope, in Delta state but was earlier covered up is nothing more than act of murder. Their death is due to negligence, administrative greed and a corruption within the military,” it said.

The statement by the Niger Delta Avengers, which has accepted responsibility for a series of attacks on oil and gas facilities in the last few months, comes just over a week after the militant group said it was ready for a ceasefire, talks with the government and that it had halted hostilities.

It wondered the objectives behind the deployment of military hardwares to the Niger Delta suddenly when there was cessation of hostilities for peace talks to commence.

Read More: dailytrust

Stay Away From Rivers – Militant Leader Warns Avengers

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A militant leader in the Niger Delta region, ‘General’ Don Waney, emerged from the creeks on Monday and warned members of the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups not to come close to Rivers State.

Waney, who said he was ready to surrender his arms and ammunition and embrace the amnesty offered by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, also urged militant groups in the oil rich region, including NDA, to embrace peace and put an end to the destruction of oil facilities.

The militant leader, who is the leader of the Aggrieved Youth Movement said in Aligwu, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area on Monday, that he would fight any militant group that decided to make Rivers its target.

Explaining that the state cannot achieve any form of development without peace, Waney added that his group was not into kidnapping or any form of violence.

He stated that his group were only agitated as a result of youth unemployment, lack of technical training for manpower development, scholarships, widespread poverty, and lack of basic social infrastructure, among others.

According to the militant leader, “On a strong note, we are non-violent and we shall remain so in our collective agitation for a better ONELGA (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA), Orashi and Rivers State.

“In the light of this, we call on the Niger Delta Avengers group to leave ONELGA and Orashi region out of their targets.

“We are against the bombing and destruction of vital oil and gas installations in our communities. We shall not allow them or any of their type to enter our land.

“We want peace and development and that is what we have signed with our governor, Nyesom Wike. Rivers State is peaceful and we do not want outsiders to cause crisis and general insecurity in our state again.”

Commending the state governor for offering amnesty to repentant militants, Waney expressed the need for other aggrieved groups to surrender their arms and embrace peace in order to ensure the growth of Niger Delta.

He said, “We have, accordingly, accepted amnesty gesture the government has granted us. We salute the governor for his love, for the sanctity of lives of some young people, who may have been deceived in the past.

“We believe that the amnesty will go a long way to transform for good, the lives of these youngsters. We hereby call on other armed groups to embrace the amnesty programme and give up militancy so that together, we can benefit from the development strides of the Rivers State Government.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to consider repentant militants in the region and ensure that the post-amnesty programme covered oil and gas producing communities.

Earlier in his remark, the President of Omoku youths, Mr. Kingsley Nonye, pleaded with the warring factions in the local government area to forget their differences and allow peace to reign.

Nonye also urged oil companies in ONELGA not to neglect the youths, even as he appealed to them to be serious with their corporate social responsibilities.

He observed that the multinational oil firms were using divide-and-rule tactic to deal with the youths of ONELGA, urging to desist from such act.

Nonye said, “There has been total negligence on the part of the Federal Government and the oil companies operating in ONELGA. They should understand we are the highest oil producing area. We have been contributing immensely to the economy of the country.

“Today, we have poverty at a very high level, unemployment, no health care system. Our challenges are too many to mention. But in the name of pea

Buhari, Alaafin Meet Over Avengers, Boko Haram

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President Muhammadu Buhari  yesterday  was in a closed  meeting with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Alaafin of Oyo said discussions at the meeting bordered on problems facing the country, including militancy in the Niger Delta and insurgency in the North.

According to him, Buhari requested traditional rulers to convey their advice on problems in the country in writing.

He said: “As a Nigerian and one of the topmost traditional rulers in the country, I sent a memorandum to the President, which he acknowledged, and he asked me to come and endorse those things I have written.

“I think it is time for me to use the proper channel to reach the President for suggestions and advice. Where he deserves commendation, I should also do that.

“Especially as it concerns the multi-dimensional problems Nigeria is facing; the Avengers and the bombing of oil installations, MEND and Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

“One major diplomatic point the President scored was the visit of the United States (U.S.) Secretary of State, John Kerry. America does not usually send top officers for such visits, if they have not used certain parameters to gauge the country’s performance.

“I have met with the President and offered some suggestions. We are losing huge resources to the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers. Coming close to that is the infiltration of the militants in Lagos and Ikorodu, where in the last three weeks, 10 landlords were massacred.”

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Buhari, Alaafin meet over Avengers, Boko Haram

Twitter Suspends Niger Delta Avengers, Boko Haram Accounts Over Terrorism Acts

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Twitter has suspended the accounts of Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), Boko Haram, as well hundreds of thousands others for violating policies related to violent threats and promotion of terrorism, the company said on Thursday.

The online social media has suspended additional 235,000 accounts since February.

Total suspensions related to violence and terror is now around 360,000 since the middle of last year.

Meanwhile, up to 80 per cent are being suspended daily since last year, Twitter said, due largely to proprietary “spam-fighting” tools.

The company said it has made progress in shortening the amount of time that violators are on Twitter; reducing their followers and disrupting the ability of offenders to immediately return to Twitter.

It said it has bolstered its team to review complaints of extremism and buoyed collaborations with law enforcement, other social platforms and international nongovernmental agencies.

Read More:

http://guardian.ng/news/twitter-suspends-niger-delta-avengers-boko-haram-accounts-over-terrorism-acts/

Niger Delta Avengers ‘Willingly Agree’ To Dialogue With FG.

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The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) have agreed to dialogue with the federal government to resolve the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta region.

 

Ballantyne Agiri, spokesman for the dialogue group, said this in a signed statement on Wednesday.

 

Agiri said that the NDA had constituted contact and a dialogue group to engage the federal government in meaningful dialogue as part of the initiatives to resolve the crisis.

 

He added that the group was determined to come out with results that would yield lasting peace, equity, justice and harmony among all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

 

“The body has collectively and willingly agreed to heed the clarion call of eminent Nigerians and international community to dialogue with the Federal Government,” he said.

 

He urged Nigerians and the international community to follow the event and watch out which side would default in terms of abiding by the rules and spirit of the dialogue.

 

“The federal government should from the inception of the dialogue rule out from the agenda any monthly monetary inducement or stipend for the NDA,” Agiri said.

 

“The federal government should be ready for structural changes that should be human and development oriented.

 

“Members of the avengers’ group (who will participate in the dialogue) have already been selected, each based on his integrity, forthrightness, honesty and life track records.

 

“The names of members of the group for now shall not be made public for personal reasons until they begin functioning in few days ahead.”

 

NDA has claimed responsibility for series of bombings of oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta in the last few months.

 

The activities of the group put a strain on Nigeria’s economy with crude oil production, Nigeria’s economic mainstay, disrupted.

PDP Has No Link With Avengers- Jonathan’s aide

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A former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Bayelsa State, Mr. George Turnah has dismissed allegations that the party engineered the emergence of some militant groups, including Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to frustrate the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
?Turnah, who is running for the position of the 1st National Vice Chairman of  PDP at the party’s convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said PDP’s preoccupation is to ensure a robust engagement with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to keep the administration on its toes.
Turnah spoke in Abuja during the unveiling of his campaign team ahead of its national convention in Port Harcourt next week.
“You are journalists, and we all can remember that the media had reported before now that MEND was dead. Sometimes, when it suits us, we like to make issues out of nothing. We have problems in the Niger Delta, East, North and some other places, and we are supposed to be seeking solutions to them.
“These things do not get us anywhere. When you make allegations, you should also take further steps to prove them; you do not just make such weighty allegations. Who takes pleasure in taking blood? We may not all be angels in the party, but when you talk about militancy in the region, it is purely a regional issue; of a people asking for their rights and other privileges, it is not a PDP matter,” he said.
Turnah said PDP was due for a new mode of thinking, adding that the crisis in the party “is a family affair” which would be sorted out for the greater good of the majority.
“I assure you that what is happening in the PDP would soon come to an end, not through the courts anyway, we are going to talk to ourselves and people would have to shift grounds, make some concessions in the interest of all,” he stated.

Credit:

http://sunnewsonline.com/pdp-has-no-link-with-avengers-jonathans-aide/

MEND Accuses Jonathan For Using Avengers To Destabilise Buhari’s Govt

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The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta says it has been vindicated by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers’ allegation that former President Goodluck Jonathan is a grand patron of new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers.

MEND claimed in a statement on Tuesday that Jonathan was sponsoring the NDA to destabilise the government of his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement signed by one Jomo Gbomo was MEND’s response to Jonathan’s denial of the allegation by the RNDA, linking the ex-President with the new militant group.

The full text of the statement was made available to online news platform, SaharaReporters by MEND.

MEND said it was highly infuriated by Jonathan’s rebuttal of the RNDA earlier claim, particularly his declaration that Henry Okah was after his life rather than clear the air on the allegation.

The statement said, “MEND cannot hold brief for the RNDA, which pointedly accused Mr. Jonathan of complicity in fueling the ongoing Niger Delta crisis and patronising the NDA, apparently for political reasons.

“We are, however, quick to point out the fact that the RNDA has merely vindicated MEND’s belief and conviction that the former President and his cronies, who lost the 2015 presidential election, were using the illegal and treasonable NDA platform to destabilise President Buhari’s government.”

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http://punchng.com/jonathan-using-avengers-destabilise-buhari-govt-mend/

 

Rivers State Gov, Nyesom Wike, Dismisses Claims Of Being A Sponsor Of Niger Delta Avengers

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Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has released a statement denying claims that he was a sponsor of Niger Delta Avengers.

A faction of the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers had released a statement over the weekend that himself and some politicians including former President Goodluck Jonathan and some others were sponsors of their activities.

In a statement by his spokesman Simeon Nwakandu, Wike described the group’s claim as “false media propaganda.”

The statement reads;

“Our attention has been drawn to yet another false media propaganda wherein it was claimed that Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is one of the sponsors of the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers.

We nequivocally deny this false report which was fabricated with the aim of diverting attention from the superlative performance of Governor Wike.

Any close observer of this propaganda machine would have noticed that all they do is concoct lies about Rivers State.

image

We urge all well-meaning persons to disregard this current falsehood credited to a faceless splinter group of NDA.

This falsehood may not be unconnected to Governor Wike’s speech at the just-concluded conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors where he publicly declared that he and other stakeholders in the state have prevented militant groups from sabotaging oil installations as is the case elsewhere.

Not happy with this declaration, they resolved to concoct another ill-conceived report trying to mislead the people.

Nigerians already know what these propagandists represent. They represent retrogression , deliberate falsehood, under-development and biased unprofessional journalism.

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is a patriotic leader, committed to the sustenance and improvement of the nation’s democracy and economy.

He is a promoter of security and good governance. He cannot be disparaged by concocted publications from APC media agents.”

Military Can’t Intimidate Us With Jet Bombers- Avengers

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Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) yesterday called the bluff of the Nigerian military, saying no amount of intimidation can make them abandon their struggle for the restructuring of Nigeria.
They accused the military of deceiving Nigerians by showing false videos of how they carried out bombardment of some illegal bunkering camps in the Niger Delta region.
The militants described the military’s action “as unprofessional and a ploy to intimidate them with scrap jet bombers”, adding that they would not be intimidated, even if more jet bombers were deployed to the region.
“They can deploy fourth generation jet-bombers but that will not stop us from fighting for our people. We, hereby, challenge the military to share with the public the militants killed in the so-called air strike. We are very sure that they won’t share the images of militants killed because non was killed except innocent women and children,” NDA spokesman, Brigadier General Mudoch Agbinibo, said.
“What we are saying is that the country should be restructured. The call for restructuring of Nigeria has gone beyond the NDA. The only group of persons against the restructuring is the Aso Rock Villa. The Federal Government should just listen to the voice of the citizens, instead of playing the deaf ear game,” the militants added.
“We are saying that @agbiniboND is our new official twitter account handle. Twitter can block or suspend our account but they cannot stop or block our struggle,” they further said in a one-page statement made available to newsmen.
The militants, however, vowed to bomb more oil pipelines in the region and urged President Muhammadu Buhari “to listen to voice of reason, instead of threatening us on the pages of newspapers.”

Credit: Sun

We Will Attack Avengers If Dialogue Fails– Army

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The Nigerian Army has said it would attack the Niger Delta Avengers if government’s effort to dialogue with the group and other militant groups fails.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Tukur Buratai declared this yesterday at the inauguration of newly built ultra-modern 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army headquarters complex and an Olympic-size swimming pool in Port Harcourt.
Buratai urged militant groups in the Niger Delta region to explore democratic means to make their needs known rather than resorting to violence.
“Government is still committed to dialogue, and whereby this cannot go on, then, we could resort to other means.
“The non-kinetic (force) means has always been the first before government can resort to the kinetic means.
“So, there is need for the Niger Delta Avengers to see reason and dialogue with government,” he said.
Buratai, who was represented by Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, said the military would provide security for July 30 legislative rerun election, if need be.
He said the Army was faced with shortage of accommodation, offices and other infrastructure needed for optimal performance by troops.
The Chief of Army Staff informed current intervention effort in renovating dilapidated structures and building new ones, despite challenges of dwindling national resources.

Credit: Sun

Again, Avengers Blow Up NNPC Gas Pipeline In Akwa Ibom

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Niger Delta Avengers on Sunday night allegedly blew up the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, gas pipeline at Nsite Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

The claim has not been independently confirmed, but spokesperson of the militant group, self-styled Brig Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, in a statement, challenged NNPC to “check their pipeline if it is ‘system anomaly.’

” The statement read: “At 11:30pm on Sunday, the NDA blow up Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), gas pipeline at Nsit-Ibom L.G.A, Akwa Ibom state.

NNPC should check their pipeline if it’s “system Anomaly”. Asking the NNPC to check if it was system anomaly is an allusion to the exchange between the militant group and Exxon Mobil, which initially denied an attack on its export line in Akwa-Ibom state, saying that it was a system anomaly, only to declare force majeure days later.

Credit: Vanguard

 

Shell Shuts Trans Niger Pipeline As Avengers Strikes Again

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The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) group said it had bombed an ExxonMobil facility in southern Nigeria just as Shell announced closure of a key oil pipeline, in the latest blow to output.

“At about 7:30 pm (1830 GMT) the Niger Delta Avengers blow up ExxonMobil Qua Iboe 48? crude oil export pipeline,” the NDA, which has been blamed for a string of attacks on key oil and gas facilities since February, said in a statement late Monday.

The militants said international oil majors had defied its calls for a halt to exports. AFP contacted ExxonMobil but there was no immediate response. The Niger Delta Avengers wants foreign oil companies out of the delta region, arguing local people have failed to benefit from decades of extraction that has generated billions of dollars.

It also wants self-determination and political autonomy for the region. The upsurge in unrest has reduced output in oil-rich Nigeria at a time the country is reeling from low global crude prices that have hammered government revenues.

Credit: Vanguard

 

No Ceasefire Agreement With FG, Says Avengers

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The Niger Delta Avengers has denied entering into a ceasefire agreement with the Federal Government.

The group said this on Tuesday in reaction to media reports saying it has signed a 30-day ceasefire pact with the government.

Reports quoting sources at the Ministry of Petroleum as saying that the government secured truce from the group as part of the reported negotiation process flooded the Internet on Tuesday.

According to local and foreign media, including Reuters, sources at the Ministry of Petroleum, revealed that the NDA was among the group that agreed to a ceasefire agreement signed by the representatives of the Federal Government and Niger Delta militants.

But a Twitter post by the NDA said its “high command” was not aware of the reported ceasefire.

“The NDA high command never remembers having any agreement on ceasefire with the Nigerian Government,” it tweeted.

The NDA has taken a responsibility for a series of bombings of oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta in recent times.

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Dr. Mohammed Barkindo, on Tuesday said the carrot and stick approach  would help check  the violence being unleashed by the Niger Delta Avengers.

Credit: Punch

Avengers Embraces Dialogue, Gives Condition For Peace

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The federal government’s efforts to restore peace in the troubled oil-rich Niger Delta region recorded a significant gain yesterday as the Niger Delta Avengers, the group that had been responsible for recent serial attacks on oil and gas pipelines in the region, said it was ready to discuss its grievances with the government.

The militant group’s turning of a new leaf, was largely due to pressure from the back channel contact made by the federal government’s negotiating team, headed by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu.

The group’s offer of dialogue was, however, predicated on International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the region committing to send independent mediators to the dialogue, saying that was the only way it could have confidence in talk that is expected to chart the way forward for peace in the region.

The federal government’s team, which also include the National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno, is mandated to reach out to the militants and other stakeholders in the region and find a way to end the violence that had adversely affected oil production output of the country, which had dwindled from 2.2m bpd to about 1.6m bpd. Only yesterday, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), said it had lost N60 billion in three months, owing to the break in its Forcados pipeline bombed by the NDA.

The NPDC’s loss is only a part of the general loss to the nation’s overall revenue loss manifested in the shut-in of over 800,000bpd since the NDA hostility began in February.

But in a statement by Mudock Agbinibo, the group’s spokesperson, it said it would cease fire to enable it discuss with the federal government’s team. It, however, demanded absolute sincerity on the part of government, warning that it would not allow the discussion to be turned into a political jamboree.

“We are warning this government of President Muhammadu Buhari not to turn the essence of genuine peace talk and dialogue to political jamboree that is prevailing now where all manner of social media agitators and criminals have been sponsored by the job seeking corrupt political class to save faces before the government of the day,’’ the NDA said.

As guarantees, the group said while it would not blow up more pipelines, it insisted that repairs to all bombed trunk lines must be put on hold until the dialogue is over, threatening to sink in the deep waters two large vessels belonging to the oil companies if its conditions were disregarded.

Credit: Thisday

Avengers Issues ‘Last Warning’ To 7 Nigerian Governors

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The Niger Delta Avengers has issued what it called “last warning’ to seven state governors to free pro-Biafran activists being held in police and military custodies in their states.

This is contained in a statement signed by the group’s spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo.

The new militant group, which has vowed to bring Nigeria’s oil production to zero, has given 72 hours to the governors to free Biafran agitators.

Some of the governors threatened by the group are Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Willie Obiano of Anambra, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta.

Others are Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.

“We request the immediate release of all pro-Biafrans activist held in your various Police/Military Custody, you are hereby given 72 hours to release them or risk your convoys, police station, military base and government offices being attacked,” the group stated.

“We are not negotiating with anybody and nobody is representing us.
In 48 hours we will release a video clip showing our arms and the targeted areas.

“All strike team already in position awaiting command.

We are ready for war and we have nothing to lose!!!”

Avengers Allegedly Blow Up Forcados Pipeline

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The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), the militant group which has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks on oil installations, says it has blown up a Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) oil facility.

The Forcados pipeline, which transports 250,000 barrels per day, was first bombed in February and had just undergone repairs.

The militants also said it had hit the Brass to Tebidaba crude pipeline in the latest attacks to bring oil production and export to zero.

The militants made these claims on Twitter early Friday morning.

They tweeted: “At 3am today, NDAvengers blew up the SPDC forcados 48’ exportline.”

“We warned SPDC not to go ahead with repair works but they refused.”
On Thursday, they also claimed that they had blown up pipelines in Bayelsa state.

Nigeria’s 2016 budget is benchmarked at $38 oil price and production quantity of 2.2 million barrels per day.

Although oil price has risen to nearly $50, production has gone down to as low as 1.4 million barrels per day, leading to a shortfall.

The budget already had a $2 billion deficit before the Niger Delta crisis.

Credit: Sun

Niger Delta Avengers Blow Up Chevron’s Oil Wells

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In spite of military presence in presence around oil installations in the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) early on Wednesday blew up oil wells belonging to Chevron.

“With the heavy presence of 100 Gunboats, 4 Warships and Jet Bombers NDA blew up Chevron Oil Well RMP 23 and RMP 24 3:44am this Morning,” the group announced on Twitter, claiming that oil wells RMP 23 and RMP 24 are Chevron’s highest producing wells.

The  Avengers have emerged as most prominent militant in the Niger Delta region in 2016 with series of attacks launched on oil installations belonging to Shell, Chevron, ENI and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Credit: Guardian

Military Never Arrested Our Strike Team- Avengers

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New militant group responsible for the bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, on Tuesday, said claims by the Nigerian Military that no fewer than 10 of its suspected members were arrested on Sunday, was false.

The Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin City, Farouk Yahaya, while addressing journalists had said that the the Nigerian Army arrested 10 suspected militants and pipeline vandals in the Niger Delta region, on Sunday.

But in a tweet today, via its Twitter handle, @NDAvengers, the militant group said: “Our attention has been drawn to the arrest of 10Niger Delta Avengers boys by Nigerian Military. None of our Strike Team has been arrested. It’s all lies.”

https://twitter.com/NDAvengers/status/737548280783982593

https://twitter.com/NDAvengers/status/737549317674663940

https://twitter.com/NDAvengers/status/737612808347492363

 

Troops Arrest Niger Delta Avengers’ Men

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Ten suspected members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) – the group of militants smashing oil facilities in the Niger Delta – have been arrested in Delta State.

Besides, a military patrol team prevented some gunmen believed to be its members from attacking pipelines in Bayelsa State.

The Army yesterday paraded the 10 suspects in Benin, the Edo State capital, yesterday.

The suspects were arrested at about 1:40am on Saturday in Oporaza community, Warri South-West Local Government Area, following a cordon-and-search operation conducted in the community.

The 4 Brigade Commander, Brig. –Gen. Farouk Yahaya, who paraded the suspects, explained that there had been several cases of sabotage by suspected militants and vandals in Delta State since January 1,  and warning and threats “to shut down all operations” in the sector.

He listed the arms and ammunition recovered from the suspects as: 28 detonator cords (also known Detonator 33), one pistol, two empty pistol magazines, 196 rounds of 7.62 special ammunition, one round of nine-millimetre ammunition, a live cartridge and five daggers.

Also recovered were 15 handheld radio sets, 18 phones, 203 SIM cards belonging to three major network providers, five swimsuits, two headlamps, a laptop, two ipads and a camera.

There were also seven wraps of substances suspected to be hemp, five speedboat throttle cables, six pairs of hand gloves, N23,000 cash and a cheque book.

Gen. Yahaya said that although investigation would reveal the true identity of the suspects, recent explosions carried out by the Niger Delta Avengers suggested that the suspects may not be unconnected to the group.

He added: “Within the period under review, you can see that the Niger Delta Avengers have claimed virtually all acts of criminal activities against oil and gas and they continue threatening a shutdown of the whole sector. So, most likely, they (suspects) will be the people; who else would they be?”

On the speculation that the militants may have used charms to evade arrest, Gen. Yahaya said: “Whatever a person wants to use, he can use it. But I know that God is always on the side of the truth.

“We are not worried by voodoo. It did not stop the suspects from being arrested and others that have been arrested before now.

“Operations that led to these arrests and recoveries were conducted professionally, guided by our mandate, operation orders, code of conduct and rules of engagement. Our operations are strictly targeted against perpetrators of all criminal acts in our area of responsibility and not innocent citizens,” he added.

Credit: Nation

Niger Delta Avengers Blow Up Oil Pipeline Again

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Militants suspected to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers have blown up an underground Chevron crude oil trunk line.

The trunk line is located along the Seria Creek near Abiteye, a few kilometres away from the company’s multi-billion dollars Tank Farm in Escravos, Warri South West local government area of Delta State.

It was gathered that the incident, which occurred midnight, was noticed by workers in the production department when they observed drop in production pressure.

A top Chevron management officer and a security source both separately confirmed the incident.

The source said a technical team of experienced engineers had been dispatched to the scene of the spill to ascertain the true cause.

Information available  revealed that the Seria Creek and all adjoining creeks of Abiteye have now been covered with massive oil spill emanating from the trunk line.

A local source in the area said, “At the moment, the entire creek has been littered with crude oil.”

The violent militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, also announced the attack on their twitter handle.

https://twitter.com/NDAvengers/status/735606785718026240

Credit: Punch

Nigeria Arrests ‘Avengers’ Oil Militants

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The Nigerian army has arrested several suspected members of a militant group called the “Niger Delta Avengers”, thought to be behind recent attacks on oil pipelines in the south.

The country’s oil production has been severely disrupted by the attacks.

US oil giant Chevron shut down an offshore platform this month after an attack claimed by the Avengers group.

Many militants joined an amnesty programme in 2009 after an insurgency in the oil-rich delta region.

Credit: Leadership