Again, Jonathan denies links with Niger Delta Avengers

• Cautions media on ‘vague sources’
• Militant group to ‘declare independence Oct 1’

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has taken a swipe at some media houses publishing reports claiming he is under probe for alleged links with the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

Meanwhile, the NDA has said it would make formal proclamation of a Niger Delta Republic on October 1.

The militant group, yesterday, said nothing would stop it from going ahead with the decision “if the Nigerian government fails to retrace its steps by restructuring the country.”

A statement by Jonathan’s media assistant, Ikechukwu Eze, reads in part: “There is no doubt that there exist people who may have scores to settle with the former President but are now feeling frustrated by the fact that his national and international profile has continued to rise, despite their recourse to endless muck-raking and character assassination. Such people will stop at nothing to continue to throw obstacles, albeit futilely, on his path.

“Our media houses should be careful not to make the country a laughing stock by being hoodwinked into passing off the perverted voices of irritant groups as that of our well respected official and security authorities.

“Apart from toying with the serious issue of libel, those newspapers lending themselves to be so cheaply used by miscreants are also doing gross disservice to our collective good and the image of the country.”