Niger Delta Volunteers (NDV), one of the militant groups operated in the oil-rich region, commended the recent moves by the Pan Niger Delta Forum led by Chief Edwin Clark to settle the ongoing crises
in the area, Daily Post reports.
Commander Ekpo Ekpo, the leader of the group in a statement issued on October 31, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital, said they had decided to embrace dialogue.
The statement reads: “We have met and brainstormed over the crisis and following several hours of intensive deliberation, we the Niger Delta Volunteers have decided to accept dialogue with the federal government.
“Our decision according to them is based on the previous meetings we had with the leaders of Ibibio Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, who on each occasion pleaded with us to lay down our arms and embrace peace for the development of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in general.
“Today, all the major groups in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states have generally agreed to give the federal government the benefit of the doubt while hoping that it would fulfill its own part of the proposed dialogue.”
Meanwhile, the group advised the Nigerian authorities to set up a program of restructuring the country for it to achieve full fiscal and political federalism, adding that it is the only panacea for peace.
The Volunteers further demanded that Exxon Mobil, Total E&P and all other oil & gas companies operating in Akwa Ibom state to as a matter of urgency open their operational offices in the state as contained in the Nigeria content law.
At the same time, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate on October 31 attacked another crude oil delivery line at Effurun-Otor, Ughelli South Council Area of Delta state. The troops of the Joint Task Force raided the shrines of the oil militants in Delta state and killed one of its most notorious leaders.
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