By Philip Nwosu
The militant group, the Adaka Boro Avengers, has called on multinational oil companies working in the Niger Delta to steer clear of the area until the Federal Government decides on the modalities for peace in the area.
The group also denied claims by the government that it was in dialogue with them on how to return peace to the area.
A statement from the spokesperson of the Adaka Boro Avengers ‘General’, Edmos Ayayeibo, warned the oil companies to desist from effecting repairs of damaged pipelines until the channel of dialogue is opened by the Federal Government.
The statement reads in parts “We want to make our intention known to the country that we are not in dialogue with the Federal government of Nigeria. We have discovered that the Federal government of Nigeria is not ready for any form of dialogue.
“If the FG is ready to dialogue with Niger Delta freedom fighters through any means, FG delegates or MEND, the Federal government should be able to make this known to the public, but as a matter of fact the Federal government of Nigeria has not made any form of pronouncements.
“Hence, we see the Federal government as playing pranks with us. Therefore, we are informing all multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region not to engage on any form of repairs of pipelines and destroyed oil installations in the region.
“We are asking all multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to steer clear of our region, until the Federal government makes a pronouncement on how it will engage the Niger Delta freedom fighters.”
The group said it would not hesitate to sacrifice to its deity; anyone caught effecting repairs on damaged pipelines and oil facilities in the area.
While calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to work towards ensuring peace in the Niger Delta area, the Adaka Boro Avengers said the government should stop putting more lives of innocent Nigerians on the line, but should strive to open dialogue with the militant groups fighting in the area.
President Muhammadu Buhari had recently given a hint that his administration had initiated dialogue with militants believed to be remnants of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), as confirmed by its spokesperson, Gbomo Jomo. But the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), which is reputed to have wreaked unassailable havoc on critical national oil and gas assets, has denied any talks with the government.
According to NDA spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, “If there is any such peace talk, it means the President is talking to their mercenaries set to disrupt the genuine struggle of the agitators. President Buhari government is not sincere to the Nigerian people and their foreign allies. If we are to engage in any peace talk we made it clear that the International Community must be part of it.