Militants write an open letter to president Buhari

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has sent President Buhari an open letter stating that it is out improper for a civilian president organise a peace meeting via security operatives.

The letter appears to be a response to what the fighters tagged the president’s “continuous disparaging remarks since the cessation and suspension of hostilities by our fighters for the liberation of the Niger Delta from economic colonialism of Nigeria.

“We are curious of comments like ‘Niger Delta militants objective is to colonize Nigeria economically’ and ‘Niger Delta militants are sponsored by economic looters’ during the Passing Out Parade (POP) of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 63rd Regular Course,” NDA said in the open letter signed by ‘Brig. Gen’ Mudoch Agbinibo.

It was additionally stated in the said letter that, “You personally issued misleading statements and threats of decisive military action – if necessary – to deal with Niger Delta agitation because you have purportedly opened up channels of talks through security agencies/agents and the Multinational Corporations.

“Mr. President, do democratically elected governments open channels for talks in situations like we have in the Niger Delta through security agencies/agents or you are assuming the Niger Delta as a conquered colony in your 1984 Era?”

The group also conveyed displeasure for Buhari’s continuous reference to the newly launched Ogoni clean up as one of the programme of his administration to rescue the polluted environment.

As usual, the Buhari’s regime does not make any press statement without shifting blame to successive regime, which he was part of as a previous military dictator, but had always exonerated himself and some of his military allies. As it stated that the pollution of Ogoniland was caused by successive governments, adding:”How can you justify Ogoni clean-up and at the same time constitute a Task Force Called “Operations Delta Safe” that is embarking on environmental pollution with the burning and bombing of petroleum products in the guise of fighting oil theft?

“Does that amount to lack of genuine ideas or sincerity?

“Or at least, is there no relationship between environmental pollution and the ongoing indiscriminate burning and bombing of petroleum products by operatives of the so-called Operations Delta Safe?

“Mr. President, basically, some other factors fueling the Niger Delta conflict are corruption engendered by successive government that you served since oil becomes the commonwealth of the nation Nigeria.

“Whilst you start the Ogoni clean-up process, what is wrong in reviewing the Sir Henry Willinks Commission Report of 1958? The Ogoni Bill of Rights, The Kaiama Declaration document of the Ijaw Youths Council, The General Alexander Ogomudia Committee Report, and The Leedum Mitee-led Niger Delta Technical Committee Report?”