SAN FRANCISCO, June 29, (THEWILL) – A militant group, New Delta Avengers, on Thursday, called off its plan to cripple oil production in Delta state through attacks on oil facilities.
The group had threatened to resume hostilities by targeting oil facilities and production platforms in the state following its disagreement with the state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, over development of oil communities and funding of the state oil producing areas commission, DESOPADEC.
However, the group, in a statement signed by five leaders of the group representing the five marginalised oil bearing tribes in the state, said they were retracting the threat in deference to call for peace by Niger Delta leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
“In deference to your authority on issues involving our development and efforts to change the tide of perpetual underdevelopment and treatment as 2nd class citizens of this nation, the highest command of the NDA has decided to shelve our planned attack on major oil facilities in the region from June 30, 2017,” the statement read.
“Without prejudice to any ongoing discussion with the Federal Government, we hope that the window of peace will afford you time to take up the issues as you promised with Delta state government.”
They also urged Clark to reciprocate their gesture by following up on his promise to ensure justice and fairness in the aggrieved regions.
