Yemisi Izuora
A coalition of the Niger Delta militants has met in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital where a resolution was passed that the Federal Government should return all oil blocs being controlled by northerners to the people of the oil producing states within three months.
The militants explained, in a statement, shortly after the meeting, that their action was based on the ultimatum given by the Coalition of Northern Youth for Igbos to leave the region.
They have warned that all companies operating such oil blocs must vacate within the stated period of three months; as they will resume attacks and bombings of all oil and gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines to ensure zero production if ultimatum is not yielded.
They have also asked the Federal Government to immediately replace the Inspector General of Police, he Director-General of the Department of State Services and the National Security Adviser with an indigene of the South-West, South-East, South-South, respectively.
The coalition comprises Niger Delta Watchdogs, Niger Delta Volunteers, Niger Delta Peoples Fighters, Niger Delta Warriors, Bakassi Freedom Fighters, Niger Delta Movement for Justice, Niger Delta Fighters Network and Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.
The militant leaders include; John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs); Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers): Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors), Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters), Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters); Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice); Duke Emmanson (Niger Delta Fighters Network) and Inibeghe Adams (Niger Delta Freedom Mandate)
The statement read: “A coalition of the Niger Delta militants met today in Port Harcourt to review the recent call by Arewa youth groups that the Ndigbo should vacate all the northern states within three months.
“We see the declaration by Arewa youth as a consultative declaration, which the northern elders, leaders, political elite, security heads from the North and governors were fully aware of.
“We demand 100 per cent control of our resources. We demand that the Federal Government should hand over all oil blocks owned by the northerners to Niger Delta indigenes. All the companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate within three months.
“The Federal Government should immediately relocate the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and all the offices that have to do with oil/gas sector back to Niger Delta states and immediately replace the group managing director (of NNPC) with an indigene of Niger Delta.
“All northern indigenes working in NNPC and any other board that has anything to do with oil/gas should be sacked with immediate effect.
“We demand an independent and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta. We are tired of living with the North under Nigeria. We are tired of the President’s sentiments to the Niger Delta people.
“The President can have time to receive the Chibok girls, but could not have time to meet with the Representatives of the Niger Delta agitators. Our money has been used to fund Boko Haram, a problem created by the northerners in order to use it as a conduit to siphon off the resources of Niger Delta.
“On October 1, 2017, we shall declare our independence, come rain, come shine. We shall take our destiny in our hands and free ourselves from the slavery of the North as they are tired of one Nigeria.
“From October 1, 2017, we don’t want to see any northerner close to (the) Niger Delta; any attempt to penetrate shall meet fierce resistance. This time, we are not going to play defence, but attack.
“We also demand that the Federal Government should immediately replace the Inspector General of Police with an indigene of the South-West, the Director-General of the Department of State Services with an indigene of South-East, and the National Security Adviser with an indigene of South-South,” they demanded.