Niger Delta Militants: What must be done to avoid return to militancy

by Iyobosa Omoregie

Urhobo militants, under the aegis of Urhobo Gbagbako, have a couple of grudges with the outgoing government of President Goodluck Jonathan, and have consequently, advised incoming president, Muhammadu Buhari, to look into them as soon as possible, to avoid a return to militancy.

The militants said their decision to blow up oil facilities in Ihwrenen and Ejophe communities in Ughelli North and Ughelli South Local Government Areas, Delta State, was as a result of the marginalization and neglect of Urhobo nation by the outgoing administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Consequently, the group advised Buhari’s government to create a level playing ground for bidding and allocation of contracts in the oil pipeline surveillance.

In a statement by its National Chairman, Otega Obire, the group said: “The Urhobo nation, as the fifth largest ethnic group in the country, has long been marginalized in the presidential amnesty programme and pipeline surveillance jobs and contracts.
“Even the Delta Steel Company, DSC, Aladja, that is supposed to be the only federal project in Urhoboland, has been grounded for years.”
“We accepted change before the elections because we strongly believed in the capacity of the president-elect, General Muhamadu Buhari, to correct the wrongs done to us by the outgoing administration.
“We have resolved to prevail and calm all aggrieved Urhobo youths for a ceasefire after due consultation and meetings with our channels of communication with the incoming government, but it has to be quick in order to avoid a return to the dark days of militancy.”

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