Niger Delta Avengers 'fooled' by the government, violates ceasefire

Nigerian rebel group Niger Delta Avengers has claimed to have attacked an oil production facility to signal its displeasure with the government towards the ceasefire agreement.

In a statement released on Saturday, the group said it “brought down oil productions activities at the Bonny 48 inches crude oil Export Line” on Friday night.

“This action is a signature to the over dramatization of the so-called dialogue and negotiation process on the side of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government,” it added.

The group said it supports the negotiations but warned against delay in addressing their concerns.

“We cannot be continuously fooled, the government cannot justify the indiscriminate targeting of Niger Delta youths while glorifying on these victimization of law abiding citizens of the region,” it added.

The ceasefire agreement was first threatened after the Nigerian military organised raids in the Delta region leading to the death of the father of a fugitive former militant leader.

The military denied harassing the people saying they are merely searching for militants and criminals.

The group agreed in August to dialogue with the government and end hostilities. President Buhari however cast doubts on the announced ceasefire of the militant group saying the government is “trying to understand them more”.

The group, which is calling for a greater share of Nigeria’s oil wealth to go to the impoverished Delta region, has sabotaged Nigeria’s oil production bringing its yields to a record low.