From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
A militant group named Supreme Egbesu Liberation Fighters of the Niger Delta on Tuesday threatened to destroy infrastructure in Lagos and Abuja, as well as resume hostilities in the oil-rich region.
The group’s intention was contained in a video posted online by Africa Independent Television (AIT).
The group in the video claimed its proposed plan of burning infrastructure in Lagos and Abuja stems from the federal government’s neglect of the region and failure to successfully deliver on the presidential amnesty programme over the years.
In a statement read by a masked member of the group, the militants submitted that there are no schools, no potable water, no light, no hospital and access to roads for people in the region.
The group also noted that no meaningful progress has been made with the Ogoni Clean Up project till date.
The group further bemoaned the handling of issues relating to Niger Delta with kid gloves and therefore asked the federal government to allow the region to manage its own resources.
The statement reads: “till date, there are no schools, no potable water, no light, no hospital and access roads for our people to enjoy”.
“Over the years, the Niger Delta people have made frantic efforts to create an enabling environment but to our great dismay, the Nigerian government over the years has decided to handle the issues of the Niger Delta with kid gloves. They have betrayed the struggle and have left the people to their fate,” a member of the group read from a statement.
“Rather, what is visible is the presence of military gunboat and the numerous military personnel dispersed to the Niger Delta who are killing, raping, and maiming the innocent people of the region.
“Look at the security surveillance contract taking place in our region through the federal government these agencies have decided to shortchange our people. Now in our territorial waters, it is an Israeli company that is providing waterway security which we have competent hands with expert knowledge to manage.
“Don’t worry, because we are coming to destroy all your infrastructure in Abuja and Lagos. As a group committed to giving total liberation to our people, we will destroy the oil facilities both onshore and offshore in no distant time, we will be seen to be crippling the Nigerian economy,” the group said.
The group also nominated former President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike to mediate between it and the federal government.
