Niger Delta elders beg militants over attacks on oil installations

The Chief Edwin Clark-led Pan Niger Delta Forum has called on aggrieved militant groups in the Niger Delta to stop bombing oil facilities in the region.

Just few days ago, the Niger Delta Delta Avengers, NDA, had threatened to renew hostilities in the oil rich region, saying it will hit President Muhammadu Buhari very hard in 2017.

PANDEF in a statement signed by Dr. Alfred Mulade on behalf of the Central Working Committee on Friday, said it was only in an atmosphere of peace that the much desired negotiation between the federal government could be achieved.
The statement read, “Pan Niger Delta Forum wishes to appeal to all agitators and stakeholders in the region to exercise restraint and remain calm so as to sustain the relative peace enjoyed in the region as it will enable PANDEF deepen its engagement process with the Federal Government. Peace remains the primary factor that can usher in sustainable development.
“However, in the face of all these provocations, there is imperative need for us to‎ continue to embrace peace and sustain the ceasefire deal. PANDEF will continue to engage the Federal Government to respond to the urgent need to initiate dialogue process without delay.
“In the light of Mr. President’s New Year message which he endorsed the primacy of dialogue as a sine qua non for the resolution of the issues in the Niger Delta, the Forum appeals to all aggrieved groups to remain calm and hopeful.”