From PAUL OSUYI, Asaba
Unrelenting militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) yesterday dismissed reports that there is a faction within its ranks, saying that the group remained intact, united and determined to achieve its aims.
A group claiming to be a splinter group from the NDA, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) had in a statement by Cynthia Whyte said that they decided to breakaway from the destructive action of the principal body following the intervention of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
But NDA’s spokesman, Muddoch Agbinibo in a statement posted on its website, said Cynthia Whyte and members of MEND were being used by security agencies and government agents, adding that they were not part of the struggle by NDA from the on set.
“The public and all sane minds should know that the entire household of the NDA remains intact, we are in good spirit with highest morale and even more dedicated to get the ultimate targets,” the statement read.
Agbinibo chastised the military and other security agencies, saying that they “have thrown intelligence to the dustbin and are being pushed around by dirty morals and egos of political thugs, criminals and illegal crude oil bunkerers. “It is quite unfortunate that, Cynthia Whyte and Jomo Gbomo of defunct Joint Revolutionary Council and MEND respectively are the spokespersons of the Nigerian intelligence community because of some political interest and a government that has abdicated powers to clansmen and tribal lords.
“The fact checks about Cynthia Whyte aka George Karley and his sponsors should be laid bare before the public now that the Nigerian security and intelligence community have turned the Niger Delta genuine struggle to a tool of political patronage and money making machine for miscreants and conflict merchants. “Cynthia Whyte was the negotiation organ for certain individuals (names withheld) for settlements in kidnappings, bank robberies, illegal crude oil bunkering and dirty jobs for government, like the case of … (name withheld) who was sent to South Africa to testify against Henry Okah, and back at home against Charles Okah and Edmund Ebiwari after collecting huge bribes. So we are not surprised for this so-called MEND speaking through …(name withheld) to introduce his complete house to collect more patronages in their desperation. “Conclusively, it is the house of the Nigeria security and intelligence community that is having splits and giving room to miscreants to be speaking for them as President Muhammadu Buhari abdicates governance to his kinsmen and tribal lords.”