Indications emerged on Saturday that the Movement for the
Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and the Federal Government
currently engaged in a dialogue through the oil companies and security
agencies have reached far-reaching compromises, including the release of
former militant leader, Henry Okah, in prison in South Africa and
Charles Okah, incarcerated in Nigeria.
They also agreed that ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo,
alias Tompolo, would not be harassed by government if he makes himself
available as a delegate on MEND Aaron Team 2, while the leader of the
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, would be released on
condition that he renounces the agitation for “Biafra Republic.”
MEND in a statement by spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, on Saturday
announced other breakthroughs in the discussions that will end the
revolt in the South-South and South East regions in a jiffy.
However,
it said the recalcitrant Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, still has
opportunity to embrace peace failing which a combination of military
forces and volunteers in the region, would smoke them out.
The statement read: “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger
Delta (MEND) is the only militant group from the Niger Delta region who
are presently engaged in a dialogue with the Federal Government of
Nigeria – through oil companies and security agencies -with a view to
resolving the current Niger Delta crisis.”
“Thus far, the deliberations have been fruitful, various concessions
and guarantees have already been secured. Some of which include, but are
not limited to: Release of Henry Okah, Charles Okah and Obi Nwabueze;
Review of the life sentence handed to Mr. Edmund Ebiware based on a
proposal put forward by the Aaron Team representative for Abia and Imo
states, Senator Adolphus Wabara.
“Also, conditional release of IPOB leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu and others
if they renounce their agitation for a “Biafra Republic,” the group
said.
Furthermore, MEND said they agreed: “That Mr. Government Ekpemupolo
shall not be arrested, harassed and/or intimidated whenever he makes
himself available as a delegate of the MEND Aaron Team.”
It added: “That international arbitrator and conflict negotiator,
American Dr. Judith Asuni shall be accepted as the representative of the
Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) on the MEND Aaron Team; that the criminal
charges against Urhobo freedom fighter, Mr. Kelvin Prosper Oniarah shall
be reviewed.
“That the life sentence which was handed to seven soldiers in 2008,
who actively supported the Niger Delta struggle be reviewed under the
Presidential Amnesty Programme. The affected persons are: Suleiman Alabi
Akubo, Major. Mathias Peter, SGT, Alexander Davou, L.Cpl., Moses
Nwaigwe, L.Cpl., Nnandi Anene, L.Cpl. Taatihi Emmanuel, L.Cpl and Caleb
Bawa, PTE,” it said. .
“However, one of the most immediate and urgent fallout of the ongoing
dialogue is the imperative for the Federal Government and MEND to
jointly and separately take proactive steps to rescue and secure the
region.
This is in the event that the recalcitrant Niger Delta Avengers (NDA)
continuing on its senseless and politically-motivated path of attacks
on the country’s oil assets,” it noted. MEND asserted: “To this end,
both parties agreed that the Special Forces of the Nigerian Army should
commence the purely routine but strategic military exercise code-named
“Operation Crocodile Tears”; while MEND would commence a meet-the
Government-Actors-and-People tour of the Niger Delta region code-named
“Operation Moses”
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