BREAKING: Niger Delta Avengers declare ceasefire, ready for negotiation

– The Niger Delta Avengers have agreed to maintain peace with the federal government while plans to negotiate are ongoing

– The negotiation is reportedly being initiated by Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, and other elders from the region

– An effective negotiation with the militant group may bring lasting peace to the region which currently funds a major part of the country’s revenue base

Reports reaching NAIJ.com indicate that the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has declared a ceasefire while indicating its readiness for negotiation with the federal government.

The group accused of attacking oil installations in the Niger Delta region of the country, said in a statement it trusts the outcome of a negotiation team being planned by Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, and other elders of the region.

Leaders and elders in the Niger Delta region met last Friday to fashion out the right strategy for lasting peace in the region which is currently suffering serious environmental degradation partly because of attacks on pipelines.

With this ceasefire, the group allegedly sponsored by some notable Nigerians who have also come out to deny the claims, may also reconsider its plan to declare independence from Nigeria on October 1.

READ ALSO: Nigerians mock Avengers over independence declaration

In a statement by Brig-General Mudoch Agbinibo, its spokesperson, the Niger Delta Avengers reiterated that its struggle is in favour of the region.

Here is the full statement:

We are going to support any collective/negotiation team emerging from the Chief (Dr) Papa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders conference to engage with the federal government of Nigeria, representatives from the home countries of all multinational oil corporations and neutral international mediators that will be focused on achieving the short, medium and long term frameworks and objectives to de-escalating conflicts in the Niger Delta. Most of the frameworks and objectives are clearly stated in various reports, declarations and recommendations of the likes of the Sir Henry Willinks minority rights reports of pre-independence Nigeria (1957-8), the Kaiama Declaration document, the General Alexander Ogomudia report, the Leedum Mittee headed, Niger Delta Technical Committee report and restructuring to fiscal federalism.

We have resolved to reject any idea of the peace of our times; we want the peace with honor this time around! Our advice to our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders is that, whenever this inhuman project called Nigeria and her government is ready for dialogue/negotiations with them, this mandate should be treated with that care as driving a vehicle like that of a truck laden with fire.

READ ALSO: Lawyers warn Buhari on probing Jonathan over ND Avengers

We are going to continue the observation of our unannounced cessation of hostilities in the Niger Delta against all interest of the multinational oil corporations, but we will continuously adopt our asymmetric warfare during this period if, the Nigerian government and the ruling political APC continues to use security agencies/agents, formations and politicians to arrest, intimidate, invade and harass innocent citizens, suspected NDA members and invade especially Ijaw communities.

We promise to fight more for the Niger Delta, if this opportunity fails. Therefore, we will give our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders that tacit support to the dialogue table with the government and the multinational oil corporations whenever the enabling environment prevails.

READ ALSO: Declare republic, face treason – Police to Niger Delta Avengers

We also use this medium to warn those using rogue platforms like the defunct so-called MEND, RNDA- Cynthia Whyte especially Charles Okah who is franchising these internet based banditry from his prison cell, through Victor Ebikabowei Ben (Boyloaf), Timipre Silva, Selekaye Ebikabowei, Ayirimi Emani, Michael Johnny,  to please inform those their paymasters that the days of doom are here. That those sold and bought up interests from around the corridors of power cannot arm-twist the NDA with bandits, drug addicts, illegal bunkerers, bank robbers and disorganized characters to derail the Niger Delta struggle.

Brig-Gen Mudoch Agbinibo.

Spokesperson.

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