Ex- agitators of Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) have lauded US soldiers for clamping down on terrorists in parts of Northern region in Nigeria. In a statement signed by the group’s defunct spokesman, Captain Mark Anthony and circulated to various media houses, applauded the US military operations in parts of Northern Nigeria.
His words: ”We, the disbanded Niger Delta fighters of NDLF led by late General John Togo hereby commend and support the ongoing military operations of the US soldiers in Nigerian Northern region against terrorists. Northern terrorists group had killed countless Nigerians, including Muslims, though Christians are the major target.
”We also urge the US government to publicly declare supporters of northern terrorists, especially Moslem Cleric Sheik Gumi, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Asari Dokubo and Reno Omokri who were used to divert global attention on Christians killing in Nigeria, and others either in government or in the military wanted, should be arrested and prosecuted for supporting terrorism”, he added.
He recalled that ” When we were fighting in Niger Delta region, we were fighting for inclusion in the natural resources in Niger Delta region. Our fight is and was purely an economic struggle for survival. We did not kidnap and kill innocent Nigerians. That is why, we dissociated ourselves from the late operations of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) who went about detonating bombs in human gatherings, including the Warri Edjeba bombing and Abuja Eagle Square twin bombings.”
Captain Mark used the medium to applaud Nigerian Government for granting pipeline contract to High Chief Government Ekpemuplo. His words: ”Once again, we seize this opportunity to thank the Nigerian Government for granting High Chief Government Ekpemuplo the pipeline contract through Tantita Security Limited and others ex-fughters of Niger Delta oil war to protect the oil facilities.’
The former warlord however reminded federal government that the present peace in Niger Delta region is fragile, saying that, the people in Niger Delta are still in abject poverty and urged federal government to complement Tompolo’s peace effort in the region by providing social amenities for the people to ameliorate their suffering. ” The government should complement High Chief Government Ekpemuplo’s efforts by being alive to its responsibilities of providing social amenities in the oil rich but poor Niger Delta region.
”Till date, over 95% Ijaw Communities have no clean drinking pipe borne water, no clinic or common cottage hospital ,no electricity, no motorable roads and standard school buildings. ”Federal Government should look into funds released to the interventionist agencies, especially Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as over the years, NDDC has not met purposes of its establishment. It has been an agency which enriches political jobbers by empowering themselves thereby leaving the mission and goals of the agency and that has made the communities to live in squalor and abject poverty with no one to complain to.
”The oil war in Niger Delta has not ended. We may look tired and weak today. But the younger ones who have not seen any bombs, carry AK- 47 rifles and dynamites and seeing the Niger Delta region as conquered or defeated region, may wake up one day and ask us (Elders) series of questions about the stark under development of the Ijaw communities and other Niger Delta oil producing communities in Niger Delta region which we may not find the expected answers they want to get from us.
”The continued underdevelopment of Niger Delta region is a great security concern to global security. We call on US President Donald Trump to show concern in the oil rich, but abandoned oil producing communities by successive Nigerian government as this may spark another arm movement by aggrieved youths from the region in the future”, the statement added.
