By Godwin Oghre

Sapele—A group, Niger Delta Development Movement, NDDM,  yesterday, condemned the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, which had consistently claimed responsibility for recent attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, over the latter’s refusal to be party to the recent truce brokered in Asaba, Delta State, by Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr Ibe Kachikwu, between the Federal Government and militants in the region.

NDDM’s National Chairman, Paul Toruwei, said: “The recurrent bombings of oil pipeline facilities across the Niger Delta region by militants, is too bad and condemnable and we are asking the militants to embrace other peaceful means of handling marginalisation issues in the region.

“We know that the people of the region, especially the Ijaws have been neglected and marginalised for too long. The failure of the so-called amnesty programme also contributed to what is happening in the region now, but that is not enough to take arms and be destroying oil facilities in the region.

“If actually the Avengers want development which the Federal government is promising to bring to the area, then they must embrace peace and be party to the present truce pursued by the Federal Government.

“We are condemning all forms of armed insurrections in the Niger Delta region as a means of pressing home our demand for justice and development of our land. The avengers must sheathe their swords and come to terms with the Federal Government. Let them allow the President (Buhari) to carry out his developmental plans for the region.”