Due to the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta region and the planned declaration of Republic of Niger Delta, on October 1, information reaching our newsdesk had it that the presidency is making arrangements to meet with the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, NDPVF, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo.
In the past few weeks the presidency has met with some past Nigerian leaders which include Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and Dr. Yakubu Gowon to brainstorm on how to proffer solutions to the current political impasse in the country, especially the October 1, 2016 deadline for the declaration of the Niger Delta Republic.
A dreaded militant group known as the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA had threatened to declare the Niger Delta region autonomy. And in the past few months the NDA had caused untold hardship to multi-national companies doing businesses in the region by attacking their facilities, and taking their staff hostage.
If the militant group succeeds to declare Niger Delta Republic, there will be confusion in the region and a state of emergence might be declared in the Niger Delta states by the presidency. This will have dangerous effect on the nation’s economic system.
Currently there is tension in the region as fears gripped foreigners doing businesses in the Niger Delta geo-political zone.
The president planned meeting with Alhaji Asari, nobody could predict whether it would douse the impending danger in the Niger Delta. However, knowledgeable sources told our Abuja correspondent that the presidency will meet with Asari Dokubo before the end of the week.
In a related development, the Commander of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe, ODS, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, has disclosed that his unit killed two militants suspected to be members of the rampaging Niger Delta Avengers, while three others were arrested.
The militants were alleged to have killed four soldiers on August 8, 2016 at a military check point in Bayelsa State.
The gunmen, who dressed in mourning outfit had opened fire on the ODS detachment, killing the soldiers, after which they made away with their arms, ammunition and military gunboat.
The arrested suspects were paraded at the headquarters of the ODS at Igbogene, in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Tuesday.
Speaking on the incident, Okojie disclosed that the suspects were discovered at their hideout in Saraba Creek, near Okiama community, Okigbene in Southern Ijaw Local Government of the state.
Okojie said on getting to the camp, a gun duel ensued between the soldiers and the militants; this he said, led to the death of two suspects and the arrest of three others.
The ODS Commander said the troops recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition and a military gunboat seized from the deceased soldiers.
He further listed other items recovered from the militants to include, nine AK 47 rifles, an FN rifle, four HK 21 MGs, one G3 MG, three GPMGs, 20 AK 47 magazines, two G3 magazines, one FN magazine, one container of gunpowder, the gunboat seized from the murdered soldiers and military accoutrements.
Others include, 1,145 rounds of 7.62mm metal link, 2, 485 rounds of 7.62mm ball cartons, 370 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 1,356 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.
According to Okojie, “The sources of acquiring illicit wealth is being degraded, hence the resort to attacking our locations. You will recall that on Monday, August 8, 2016, at about 0930hours, a group suspected to be members of the Niger Delta Avengers, disguised as mourners, attacked and killed four of our soldiers at their duty post in Nembe.
“Three suspects were arrested and a large quantity of arms, ammunition and the gunboat that was taken from Nembe on August 8,2016 were recovered.
“Let me use this opportunity to reiterate the fact that no criminal would go free, wherever they are. Be rest assured we will get them and ensure they face justice. Let me reaffirm the commitment of the JTF, Operation Delta Safe, of its resolve to ensure peace and economic stability in the region.”
One of suspects paraded, Austin Dikro, said the group was ambushed while returning from an operation.
Dikro, an indigene of Brass Local Government revealed that they opted for the route of the military check point because the one they wanted to use initially had dried up, making it difficult for their speedboat to float.
He also stated that they disguised as mourners just before approaching the military blockade and opened fire on the troops on the orders of their deceased leader.###
