The
Federal Government has lashed out at the Niger Delta Avengers as it
reveals the reasons why it has refused to dialogue with the dreaded
militant group.
The Federal Government has explained why it does not want to enter
into dialogue with the dreaded Niger Delta Avengers who has continuously
bombed pipelines in the region even as the militants vowed not to beg
government for negotiation.
Speaking on Friday, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo said
that they are not freedom fighters but economic warriors who are
fighting for their own private pockets.
Osinbajo said this while delivering the second foundation lecture of Elizade University,Ilaramokin, Ondo state entitled “The Future is here earlier than we thought”. He said
“the so called avengers are not freedom fighters but fighting for their
own economic benefits. They are avenging for their private pocket and
that is why government is not talking with them”.
He however stated that the Federal Government has made plans to
tackle the menace of pipeline vandalism in the Niger/Delta region. He
condemned the activities of the militants who claimed responsibility for
the vandalization of petroleum pipelines in the Niger/Delta region,
said “the previous government neglected the region for several
years, hence the current challenges in the region. The Federal
Government has however put machinery in motion to curtail the activities
of Niger/Delta Avengers”.
He further blamed the activities of the militants for the epileptic
power supply in the country as well as the inability of state governors
to pay workers’ salaries due to the low revenue generated in the oil
sector as a result of the attack on pipelines.
Reacting to the statement made by the Vice-President, the Niger Delta Avengers said it does "not
care if the federal government hires or concludes plans to bring in
Bluewater, Graywater, Pinkwater, Whitewater or Blackwater mercenaries
from Saudi Arabia. It is none of our business, the Saudi Arabia, has its
own problem of terrorism, so coming here to help Nigerian government
is funny. The Niger Delta region will win this war,”
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