Niger Delta Militants blow up Trans Forcados export line in Warri

 Suspected militants have bombed a state-run oil pipeline near the southern Nigerian oil hub of Warri in the latest blow to the industry, a security source and community leader said Wednesday.

The Trans Forcados export line was attacked late Tuesday, they said, just hours after President Muhammadu Buhari met with representatives of militant groups in the oil-rich Niger delta to discuss how to end the unrest plaguing the region.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s attack.

“The attack was carried out with the aid of dynamite and it is coming less than 48 hours after the resumption of operations at the flow station,” a security official, who declined to be named, told AFP.

The pipeline was attacked in July and had only resumed operation at the weekend following repairs.

Dickson Ogugu, chairman of Batan community where the pipeline is based, confirmed the incident, saying a surveillance team had identified the site of the attack.
“The entire river is flooded with contents from the damaged trunkline and we are at the receiving end.”

The line is operated by the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) and receives crude from Batan near Warri.

Since February, several militant groups have attacked oil facilities, slashing the nation’s output and hammering revenues.

The groups claim to be seeking a fairer share of Nigeria’s multi-billion-dollar oil wealth for residents of the region — as well as greater political autonomy.

Following peace talks in Abuja chaired Tuesday by the president, junior oil minister Emmanuel Kachikwu said the country’s oil production was returning to normal.

“The reality is that as of today and this morning, we are at 2.1 million barrels production. That’s substantial,” he said, adding that efforts to secure peace were succeeding.

Nigeria normally produces around 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd), but output dropped to a low of 1.4 bpd this year due to rebel attacks.

- AFP

BREAKING: Thomas Ekpemupolo, Ex-militant Tompolo's 84-Yr-Old Father Dies Due To Military Tortured

Father of former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo, has died. Source discloses to Gbaramatu Voice Newspaper that the octogenarian died on Wednesday morning September 7th at a at Lily Clinic, Deco road, in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. after a brief illness. 

Tompolo who is currently in hide out as he has been declared wanted by the Police for his alleged involvement in fraudulent activities in the last administration

However, the former militant leader had in a painful word sent an open letter dated 22nd of July 2016 to President Buhari, accusing the military of brutalizing his Father during one of their invasion in Gbaramatu Kingdom in th Niger Delta area.

According to the statement in the letter, “That same day, the military went to Kurutie Town in search of my 84 years old father and brutalized him. We managed to rescue him to Warri and hospitalized him. As a result of the torture, one of his lower limbs was amputated two weeks ago. From the doctor’s report, it will be a thing of miracle if he survives this incident. Is this 84 years old man also a member of the Niger Delta Avengers, that he was brutalised to the point of death?”

Photo credit: Paul Iseme

Operation Crocodile Smile Commence in Niger Delta With Mass Explosion

Several rivers communities including Oporoza and Ogulagha in Delta State and Ezetu, Aggeh and others in Bayelsa State, have been affected by food and transport crisis following the ongoing Operation Crocodile Smile of the army in the region.


Vanguard gathered that the transporters are afraid to take the waterways due to alleged harassment by soldiers layers, making it impossible for traders to villages in the area. The fishermen also find it difficult to perform their duties for the same reason.

Meanwhile, one of Operation Safe Delta sector, the new Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, a number of arrests and seizures announced barely a month after his fight against oil theft and various crimes began in the area of ​​the operation.

In response to the alleged intimidation of the local population, Ijaw leader, Chief God's power Gbenekama, told Vanguard in Warri that, "There is a humanitarian crisis in Gbaramatu as we speak Crocodile Smile soldiers not directly transferred to the communities, but they have. taken on the waterways, scaring and intimidating those who are on their normal activities".

"What that means is that our people are trapped in their homes. They can not go out or travel on the waterways that sustain their existence as riverine communities. The panic is exacerbated by reaching the report, the army has taken over Warri township, "he said.

Niger Delta Avengers named Orji Uzor Kalu and Prof Wole Soyinka Among Committee Members To Dialogue With Federal Governmenf

 Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Orji Uzor Kalu,  former governor of Abia state has be selected by Niger Delta Avengers to be among the seven prominent figures to dialogue with FG.

 According to a report on Sahara Reporters, Soyinka, Kalu and five others will also dialogue with the federal government on behalf of other splinter militants groups.


The Niger Delta Avengers who has carefully selected men  from all work of li have named Africa’s first Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, as one of the committee member.

Report had that Soyinka will serve as adviser to the committee.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Ballatyne Agiri, contact person for the East and Central zones of the Niger Delta Avengers.

Other members of the committee include Professor Steve Odi Owei Etibom, Dr Anthony A Ani, Nalaguo Chris Alagoa, Mrs. Alice Mobolaji Osomo and Inienimi Ballantyne Agiri.

Niger Delta Militants vs Nigeria Military (clash Of Government)

Recently, there is an on-going commotion in Niger Delta area where militancy has be taking place as Nigerian Army prepares to launch a major military onslaught on militants codenamed ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’, The Punch reports.


Report had it that special military drills to commence the operation was said to be going smoothly as about five militants have been killed and 23 others arrested, after a precursor operation recorded success.

According to the report, community residents are living in fear as they observed many military gunboats, battle-ready soldiers and other maritime military hardwares moving into the creeks.

Confirming the report, Udengs Eradiri, president of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, called for the suspension of the operation in the spirit of an on-going dialogue between the militants and government aimed at resolving the crisis in the region.

Eradiri, claims that the he has received complaints of people scampering for safety and fleeing into the forest on sighting the troops.

You Want War? “We Are Ready”, Niger Delta Avengers Dares Nigeria Military

According to the statement posted on NDA website on Sunday 14th August 2016 by its spokesperson, Brig.Gen Moduch Agbinibo, said the Nigerian Military had continued to deceive Nigerians and indeed the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.


It reads: “We made it clear that the Nigeria Military is using sleepers’ agents to track or checkmate the activities and operation of the Niger delta avengers. But the more they try the more they run into crisis with their employed sleeper agents.

“Stanley Tonghan and Felix Miyenminiye that were arrested and paraded by the Nigeria Navy Delta are few of the sleeper agents working for Nigeria Military in conjunction with one Ayiri Emani and Michael Johnny.

“The Suspects (Tonghan and Felix Miyenminiye) was paid 5 Million Naira to give Nigeria military intelligent on the activities of NDA. On failing to deliver, the suspects were arrested and tagged NDA members. What a shame.

“The group disowned the duo of Tonghan and Miyenminiye saying, they are “not member of NDA, we don’t know or have any connection with them”.

While condemning Navy Commanding Officer, Commodore Joseph Dzune, for misleading the President, the Avengers said, “The Navy Commanding Office NNS Delta, Warri (Commodore Joseph Dzunve) is trying to impress his Boss in Abuja by arresting sleeper agents recruited by his predecessor.

“Since we (NDA) started the struggle none of our operatives has been arrested. All those in detention in the name of NDA are not part of NDA the world should know this.

“Nigeria military has not seen embarrassment. NDA will keep embarrassing you because the only thing you are good at doing in the Niger Delta region is arrest and killing of innocent citizens of the Niger Delta in the name of looking for NDA and illegal bunkering.

“If the Nigeria military is serious about arresting NDA let them come to the creeks of the Niger Delta. That is where we dwell not the city. If I, Brig.Gen Moduch Agbinibo, was the Commanding Officer NNS Delta, Commodore Joseph Dzunve, and commander of the so-called Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, I would have been in the creeks instead of sitting at the comfort of my air-conditioned office.

“To the elders of the Niger Delta, hope it clear to you our elders that the Buhari led government is not reliable, reasonable, responsible and not ready to dialogue. Can you tell the world the government official you been dialoguing with? Is it the President? Or is there any committee that is set up for it?

“We respect you our elders, as such stop behaving, as the Niger Delta is a seized region and stop acting like you are begging the government for dialogue. The worse the government will do is to bombard our villages and towns in the name of looking for NDA. So our elders should trend carefully with the Nigeria government.

“The reason behind military harassment of towns and villages in the Niger Delta is because NDA have not confronted the Nigeria military in battle. We are not scared in confronting you. The creeks of the Niger Delta belong to us so defeating the Nigeria military is not hard for us.

“We have made it clear in many occasions that our business is to cripple the Nigeria economy not to kill military.

Source: weeklypost

YOU THINK YOU CAN? “Meet Us In The Creeks”, ND Avengers Dares Army, Navy Chiefs, Debunks Arrest Of Members.

Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, has confronted the Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie and Commanding Officer, NNS Delta, Commodore Joseph Dzunye, saying if they are ready to arrest the NDA, they should come to the creeks of the Niger Delta, "Sleeper Agent", rather than stay in office and making announcement of arrest.


Spokesperson of NDA, Brig General Mudoch Agbinibo, threw the challenge in a statement rebutting the claim by NNS Delta commander on Saturday that two suspects, Stanley Tonghan and Felix Miyenminiye, has been arrested by the navy, few days ago were members of NDA group.

NDA said that the two suspects were agents working in conjunction with security agencies and were paid N5 million by two leaders (names not mention) to give Nigeria military intelligence on the activities of the group.

They are quoted as saying:

“NONE OF OUR OPERATIVES HAS BEEN ARRESTED”.

“We made it clear that the Nigeria military is using sleepers’ agents to track or checkmate the activities and operation of the Niger Delta Avengers. But the more they
try, the more they run into crisis with their employed sleeper agents.” 

“Stanley Tonghan and Felix Miyenminiye that were arrested and paraded by the Nigeria Navy Delta are few of the sleeper agents working for Nigeria Military in conjunction with (two leaders, names withheld)

“The suspects (Tonghan and Felix Miyenminiye) was paid 5 Million Naira to give Nigeria military intelligent on the activities of NDA. On failing to deliver, the suspects were arrested and tagged NDA members, what a shame? the group said.

It added: “Stanley Tonghan and Felix Miyenminiye are not members of NDA we do not know or have any connection with them. The Navy Commanding Office NNS Delta, Warri(Commodore Joseph Dzunve) is trying to impress his boss in Abuja, but arresting sleeper agents recruited by his predecessor.”

“Any criminal arrested is now an NDA member. Since we (NDA) started the struggle, none of our operatives has been arrested. All those in detention in the name of NDA are not part of NDA, the world should know this.

“Nigeria military have not seen embarrassment. NDA will keep embarrassing you because the only thing you are good at doing in the Niger Delta region is arrest and killing of innocent citizens of the Niger Delta in the name of looking for NDA and illegal bunkering.

“If the Nigeria military is serious about arresting NDA let them come to the creeks of the Niger Delta, that is where we dwell not the city. If I (Brig.Gen Moduch Agbinibo) was the Commanding Officer NNS Delta (Commodore Joseph Dzunve) and Commander of the so-called Operation Delta Safe (Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie), I would have been in the creeks instead of sitting at the comfort of my air-conditioned office,” they said.

Buhari group (BOYSM) urges Niger Delta Avengers to embrace peace

The Buhari and Osibanjo Youth Support Movement (BOYSM) has begged the Niger Delta Avengers and Biafra agitators to embrace peace so that the country can be united.


The BOYSM appealed to militants and secessionists to embrace peace – The group applauded President Buhari for dealing with insurgency – It also advised terrorists to stop violence.

 The militant group has claimed responsibility for series of bombing of oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta region while Biafra agitators have intensified their call for the creation of an independent region.

Vanguard reports that Mr Enemi Ibe who is the national coordinator of the group spoke in Abuja on Wednesday, August 10 where he made the plea. “We appeal to the Niger Delta Avengers and Biafra agitators, who are agitating for a separate sovereign nation to sheath their sword for the unity of Nigeria.

“We are also calling on all aggrieved Niger Delta militants to stop blowing up pipelines and oil installation in the country as it is economic sabotage against our nation.’’

He also appealed to Boko Haram terrorists to embrace peace and stop killing innocent people. Ibe applauded the move by President Muhammadu Buhari as his overhauling of the hierarchy of the army brought success. He also commended the president for restoring sanity in the way things are now done in the country.

The coordinator called on the ministries, department, parastatals and agencies to ensure effective and speedy implementation of the 2016 budget with a view to ensure accomplishment of the change mantra.  “We totally support the federal government determination to fight corruption which is resulting in the improvement in the quality of public expenditure.”

If Christians, Churches Are Targeted by Boko Haram We Will Kill Muslims in Niger Delta Area - Niger Delta youths

THE NIGER DELTA REVOLUTIONARY CRUSADERS in anger raise alarm by saying, “If Boko Haram kills Christians and burns down churches, we will slay Muslims and raze down mosques. We want to warn them that we, the Niger Delta youths, in this 21st century will not accept the killing of innocent Christians or the burning of churches.


That's if they try it in the north or any part of Nigeria, we the Niger Delta youths will not see any Muslim or mosque in the Niger Delta”

It is no longer news that the new leader of Boko Haram, Mr. Abu Musa Al Barnawi, who apparently has the backing of ISIS, has said that he will target only Christians and burn down all the churches in the country.

He has also said that Muslims and mosques will no longer be targeted and that Mr. Abubakar Shekau, the erstwhile leader and principal voice of the terror group, is no longer the leader.

Mr. Shekau has responded by saying that he will continue to slaughter whoever he pleases and that he remains the authentic leader. There appears to be a very serious rift in the ranks of Boko Haram, which is good news.

As far as I am concerned the two factions can do us all a favour by destroying each other and burning in hell.

Anyone that targets Christians and Churches, or indeed any innocent civilians for slaughter, is not worthy of life. They are nothing but vermin and, like the cockroaches that they are, they must be crushed.

Mr. Shekau is evil but Mr. Al Barnawi is even worse: he is the devil incarnate. He represents ISIS and we all know what that means.

Whichever way we look at it and whatever is going on within the ranks of Boko Haram we must not lose sight of the bigger picture. And that bigger picture points to one thing: Nigeria is in a mess.

Quite apart from the poverty and hardship that has afflicted the land coupled with the total destruction of the economy and quite apart from the shattering of peoples dreams and the drastic reduction in their standard of living by the ineffectual and barren fiscal and economic policies of an inept and incompetent government, our President did not stop there.

It is a simple case of “action” and “reaction” and I sincerely hope that those that are used to killing others and not being killed themselves take them seriously.

Clearly we are living in dangerous times and I sincerely hope that those that brought religion into our politics in 2015 and that used Islam and the Boko Haram offensive as a political tool against a southern Christian President are seeing the fruits of their labour.

When you invoke the proverbial genie and let it out of the kettle you must be prepared to live with the consequences and whatever follows.

Source: cable

IJAW LEADERS PLEADED TO US NOT TO DECLARE NIGER DELTA REPUBLIC – MILITANTS

 

One member  Adaka Boro Avengers, a member of  Niger Delta militant groups, said it's group has cancelled its planned declaration of a Niger Delta Republic yesterday (August 1) after appeals from leaders of Ijaw, including ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, E. K. Clark, and others, PUNCH reports.

According to him, the group reiterated its mission to cripple the nation’s economy until the federal government is ready to dialogue with the group and restructure the Nation.

They also use this medium to called on the Federal Government to "stop wasting their time with those greedy fellows that call themselves Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)".

Their direct statement read :

We adhere to the voice of our people, because our struggle is for the Niger Delta people and not for selfish reason. But this is not the end. More has yet to come. Our mission to cripple the economy of the Nigerian nation will not stop until the Nigerian government is ready to sit on a roundtable to dialogue and to restructure Nigeria.

We received calls from prominent leaders like Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, E. K. Clark, Ankio Briggs, and especially King Alfred Diete Spiff calling on the freedom fighters to abort their mission to declare Niger Delta Republic.

Unless that, we will not stop until Nigeria becomes a zero economy. We are also saying this for the benefit of President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerian government to stop wasting their time with those greedy fellows that call themselves MEND because nothing good will come out of them rather than sabotage.

Everything they are saying, not even one will be accomplished. We will never agree with anything they say and henceforth MEND should watch their backs because we have tolerated them for a very long time.

Enough is enough, since they want to set confusion in the Niger Delta we will start from them.

MEND Send A Counter Responds To Buratai’s Statement On The Niger Delta

The attention of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has been drawn to a statement made in Port Harcourt on Monday July 25, 2016 by the Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Buratai to the effect that the Nigerian military authorities will resort to the use of force if Niger Delta militant fails to dialogue with the current federal government plan that have be put in place.


MEND then respond to the statement by making it clear that General Buratai’s statement is insensitive, provocative, unprofessional and prejudicial to the fair outcome of the ongoing preliminary talks regarding the Niger Delta crisis between representatives of oil companies and security agencies, on the one hand; and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), on the other hand.

They said, "We therefore warn the Chief of Army Staff to guard his utterances, refrain from making political and inflammatory statements and stick to his primary responsibility".

We use this medium to appeal to the good people of the Niger Delta to remain patient with the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and keep hope alive as MEND and the Aaron Team 2 Dialogue, Peace and Development Initiative led by Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, and HRH King Alfred Papapreye Diette-Spiff are working assiduously to secure sustainable concessions for the region from the Government.

While MEND have already kick-started the dialogue process with the ongoing preliminary talks, the Aaron Team, made up of distinguished and accomplished personalities from the region, are waiting on the sidelines to conclude the dialogue process.

Long live the Niger Delta…Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!