Niger Delta crisis: Avengers write Buhari

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) is not keen on meeting with security agents who may be representing the Federal Government at the proposed peace talks over the crisis in the zone.The NDA, in an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, said it is not proper for a democratically elected government to conduct such talks through security agents.It was responding to what it called the president’s “continuous disparaging remarks since the cessation and suspension of hostilities by our fighters for the liberation of the Niger Delta from economic colonialism of Nigeria.“We are curious of comments like ‘Niger Delta militants objective is to colonize Nigeria economically’ and ‘Niger Delta militants are sponsored by economic looters’ during the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 63rd Regular Course,” NDA said in the open letter signed by ‘Brig. Gen’ Mudoch Agbinibo.The letter further stated that, “You personally issued misleading statements and threats of decisive military action – if necessary – to deal with Niger Delta agitation because you have purportedly opened up channels of talks through security agencies/agents and the Multinational Corporations.“Mr. President, do democratically elected governments open channels for talks in situations like we have in the Niger Delta through security agencies/agents or you are assuming the Niger Delta as a conquered colony in your 1984 Era?”The militant group also expressed dislike for the President’s constant reference to the recently flagged off clean up of Ogoni as part of government’s program to salvage the ravaged environment.It said the pollution of Ogoniland was caused by successive governments, adding:”How can you justify Ogoni clean-up and at the same time constitute a Task Force Called “Operations Delta Safe” that is embarking on environmental pollution with the burning and bombing of petroleum products in the guise of fighting oil theft?“Does that amount to lack of genuine ideas or sincerity?“Or at least, is there no relationship between environmental pollution and the ongoing indiscriminate burning and bombing of petroleum products by operatives of the so-called Operations Delta Safe?“Mr. President, basically, some other factors fueling the Niger Delta conflict are corruption engendered by successive government that you served since oil becomes the commonwealth of the nation Nigeria.“Whilst you start the Ogoni clean-up process, what is wrong in reviewing the Sir Henry Willinks Commission Report of 1958? The Ogoni Bill of Rights, The Kaiama Declaration document of the Ijaw Youths Council, The General Alexander Ogomudia Committee Report, and The Leedum Mitee-led Niger Delta Technical Committee Report?”