Niger Delta Avengers are selfish 'economic fighters' - Veep Osinbajo

The government of Nigeria has disclosed why it is not in talks with militant group Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). The group has been attacking oil installations in the Niger Delta region over the last few months.

Speaking at a lecture at the Elizade University in southern state of Ondo on Friday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo described members of the Niger Delta Avengers as ‘economic fighters,’ fighting for their own financial interests.

“The NDA are not freedom fighters but people fighting for their private pockets. The people are not fighting for the development of the region. They are economic warriors fighting for their private pockets.

They are not working for the interest of the region. They had been creating more problems in the region by their activities. They had been polluting environment and making lives more difficult for the people,” he said

Avengers continue attacks

Meanwhile, the NDA continued its rampage on the oil installations, blowing up the Nembe 1, 2 and 3 trunk lines in Bayelsa and Rivers states, in the early hours of Friday

Following a blackout by social media platform twitter, they posted news of their latest attack on their website; “At about the of 3.00 am to 5.00 am, the Niger Delta Avenger blew up Nembe 1, 2, and 3 trunk-lines in Bayelsa/River States.”

Its spokesperson, Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, added “We are using this medium to warn the general public of impostor Facebook accounts. Niger Delta Avenger is not on Social network anymore.”

Local media portals report that residents in the region were worried that the rampaging militants vowed to attack and shoot villagers who dare to interrupt their operations.