The high command of the Niger Delta creek warriors, Adaka Boro Avengers (ABA) and other militant groups in the region on Wednesday met in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and resolved to back Chief Edwin Clark of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
Spokespersons of the groups, including General Christ Etareotu, Niger Delta Creek warriors (NDCW) Brigadier General, Etigbein Oghene, Ogunuma Camp of Niger Delta (OCOND), General Ovie Yinks, Niger Delta Redemption Fighters Coalition group (RFCG), General Santana Otuks, Niger Delta Republic Seekers (NDRS) and Brigadier General Esuku Friday, Niger Delta Green Revolutionaries (NDGR), in a statement after the meeting, warned Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) over its activities in the region, saying the movement should stay clear of Niger Delta matters.
The Avengers said the pulling out of MEND from PANDEF was the best decision that had happened to the Clark-led Forum.
The statement read in part: “MEND’s activities have no effect on the people of the region. What has MEND done for the people in the Niger Delta; What did they do with the Amnesty money. They never deem it feet to empower the youths in the region. Rather, they enrich themselves with surveillance contracts money, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) contracts, converted the militants monthly stipends to their family members, forgotten the people who died for them to actualise their dreams.
“MEND has everything it takes to actualise the dream of the Niger Delta people’s republic then but, they dropped the struggle and collected stipends which they now live fat with…”
“What does MEND actually have against PANDEF rather than their personal and selfish reasons. MEND is the original contributor to recent crisis in region. Henceforth, MEND should not interfere with matters of the region and stop deceiving our youths.
“We the various militants groups in the region have decided to back PANDEF. We now have confidence in the PANDEF, led by Chief Clark. Henceforth, MEND should distance itself from matters of the Niger Delta region.”