Avengers accuse DSS, Sylva, MEND of planning chaos in Niger Delta

Wike, INC president deny links with group

Niger Delta Avengers has alleged that the Department of State Security Services (DSS), a former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and others, are plotting to create general disorder in the region.

NDA added that MEND was allegedly being coordinated by the DSS to implement the agenda in the Niger Delta region.

In a related development, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare yesterday alleged indiscriminate arrest of youths by security agents under the guise of searching for militants, without charging them to court.

He disclosed that security agents arrested many Ijaw youths including Mr. Simeon Bebenimino, Bomboy Oluba, Aboy Muturu, the Oporoza 10 and several others.

NDA, reiterating that their was no division in its camp as alleged, the spokesman of the Avengers, Brig. Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, said that the group was intact and in good spirit with the highest morals and even more dedicated to get the ultimate targets.

The NDA, said in a statement last night that the intelligence community and security agencies in the country were working to create disorder in the region by “engaging drug addicts, bank robbers, sea pirates, fallen politicians and charlatans to undo the Niger Delta peoples’ genuine desire to self determination and resource control.”

Omare, said the latest victim of the indiscriminate arrest was Comrade Daniel Ezekiel, an Ijaw youth from Egbema Clan in Warri North, Daniel Ezekiel, spokesperson of a Niger Delta based civil society organization, the Ijaw Peoples’ Development Initiative (IPDI), who was arrested on August 4, 2016 on his way to Warri, Delta State and his whereabouts is unknown till date.

All efforts to get a response from the DSS proved abortive as its new spokesman, Tony Opuiyo, who usually sign statements coming out of the service and the other, Garba Abdullahi could not be reached as both have not given out any number to contact them.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr. Udengs Eradiri yesterday denied any link with the NDA.

Media aide to the governor, Simeon Nwakaudu, said Governor Wike is a patriotic leader, committed to the sustenance and improvement of the nation’s democracy and economy. And is also a promoter of security and good governance.

Nwakaudu said the opposition concocted the report to disparage the governor.

Eradiri said as a leader of the most influential Niger Delta socio-cultural group, he had spoken against the violent approach to actualising the Niger Delta struggle and would continue to do so with a firm belief that only dialogue with genuine leaders will solve the problems.