After a lull in militancy in the crisis-scarred Niger Delta region, a new
militant group, Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, NDGJM, has claimed
responsibility for the destruction of a major delivery line in Ughelli
North council of Delta State.
The group in an email sent to our reporter on Tuesday, said it blew up the
Afiesere-Iwhrenene major delivery line to UPS/UQCC, operated by Nigeria
Petroleum Development Company, NDPC/Shorelines Petroleum on the wee hours
of the day.
It stated that Abuja has regarded the region as a conquered territory as
her people have been made to live under strenuous conditions despite its
oil wealth.
“The Niger Delta is not a conquered territory and our people have never
succumbed to intimidation before, rather we match force with the
oppressor’s brutality. The Nigerian government should already know that
the people of this part are not fools, who will not be able to see when
they are being treated with disdain.”
The attack was confirmed by the leader of the group, self-styled Gen. Aldo
Agbalaja.
This came as the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, which ceased hostilities, last
month, accused the military of harassing old men, women and innocent
youths in the region under the guise of hunting for militants.
In a similar development, Austine Azobo of the Ijaw People Development
Initiative, IPDI, has warned that the Federal Government’s plan to
continue to militarize the region and intimidate the people despite the
fact that NDA and other dangerous militant groups have opted for dialogue.
He stated that the people would never abandon the struggle for the fair
share of the nation’s wealth despite the federal government’s anti-people
policy towards the region.
Also, acting Secretary of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council, GTC, Chief
Godspower Gbenekama, has cautioned against the continued militarization of
the kingdom and other parts of the region, saying: “It is an ill wind that
blows both the inhabitants of thee Niger Delta and the Federal Republic no
good.”