TheCable

Niger Delta militants have asked the Yoruba and northerners resident in the region to leave before October 1, 2017.

They have also threatened to resume attacks on oil installations and facilities in the region starting from September 10.

This was contained in a joint statement issued on Thursday by leaders of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (NDA) and which was titled ‘Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators to resume attacks on September 10, 2017; Northerners, the Yoruba to leave Niger Delta before October 1, 2017’.

The statement was signed by John Duku, convener of the NDA, Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta volunteers); Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta warriors); Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta peoples fighters); Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi freedom fighters); and Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta movement for justice).

The coalition said its demand on 100 percent control of the resources in the region still stands.

It also asked the federal government to hand over all oil blocks owned by the northerners/Yoruba to Niger Delta indigenes.

“After hours of careful deliberations, we unanimously resolved as follows: To commence operation zero oil in the Niger Delta from September 10, 2017, as a preparation for the actualisation of Niger Delta Republic,” the statement read.

“We hereby call on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region from September 10, 2017. This is to ensure zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.

“All oil companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate by October 1, 2017.

“All the multinational oil, gas, servicing and marine companies must relocate their operational base to the Niger Delta, sign a new memorandum of understanding with Niger Delta people which will include Niger Delta indigenes being paid same salaries with foreigners.

“We demand independence and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta, all the companies and businesses owned by the northerners/Yoruba in Niger Delta should be vacated before October 1, 2017.”

The group also described the recent meeting between the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo as “a plot to deceive” the Niger Delta people.

It said the PANDEF delegation has no capacity, cannot solve the current crisis in the region and as such, cannot represent the militants or speak for the people.

“We totally condemn the recent meeting between PANDEF and the Acting President; we see it as another plot to deceive the Niger Delta people. First and foremost, the meeting was marred by the inordinate greed of the PANDEF as they did not involve the representatives of the agitating groups and youth leaders,” the statement further read.

“We will work to interface with more patriotic and zealous Niger Delta people” to work out new collective approach that will ensure “total freedom and complete control of our resources by any means necessary.

“We shall fight to liberate the region from the shackles of neo-colonialism and rule ourselves under a Niger Delta Republic, with diplomatic and economic relations with the peoples of the south-east and Middle Belt.”

This is the second time this year the militants are asking northerners to leave their region.

In June, they had asked northerners to leave, in response to the quit notice given to the Igbo by some Arewa youth groups.