Militants ask Northerners to leave region before October

A militant group known as the Niger Delta Agitators has called on Northerners and Yorubas living in the Niger Delta to leave the region before October 1, 2017.

The group also condemned the recent meeting between some elders from the Niger-Delta and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, describing it as a plan to deceive the people.

According to Daily Post, the militants issued a statement saying: “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.

“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 inordinate greed of the PANDEF as they did not involve the representatives of the agitating groups and youth leaders.

“We wish to let the Acting President know that those he met have no capacity and cannot solve the current crisis in the Niger Delta; therefore they cannot represent the militants or speak for the Niger Delta people.

“The Federal Government should hand over all oil blocks owned by the northerners/Yoruba to Niger Delta indigenes. All oil companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate by October 1st, 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.

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“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.

“We 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."

The militants had earlier agreed to stop bombing pipelines, following Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s peace meeting with stakeholders in oil producing states.