By Amos Odhe
A Niger Delta advocacy group, the Movement for the Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta (MSDND) has raised alarm over an alleged plot “to blackmail and accuse prominent personalities and former militant leaders from the region of an unfounded plan to disrupt the existing peace and attack oil assets in the region.”
According to the group, “the plot to blackmail the likes of High Chief Bibopere Ajube also known as ‘Shot At Sight,’ King Ateke Tom, the first Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom in Rivers state, Chief Ebikabowei Victor-Ben also known as General Boyloaf, the leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo and few others before the Federal Government is a desperate attempt by some alleged dubious oil surveillance contractors and those involved in the illegal crude oil theft to cover up attempts of global exposure.”
The Publicity Secretary of the Movement for the Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta, Comrade Kelvin Orughoe, in a statement, called on President Bola Tinubu and heads of security agencies “to discountenance the plot of blackmail and investigate those behind the desperate lies against these known and reputable sons of the Niger Delta region that have sacrificed and contributed greatly for the sustainable peace and stability in the region.”
Comrade Kelvin Orughoe said years after the acceptance of the Presidential Amnesty deal by the Federal Government, most of these targeted sons and ex-militant leaders have concerned themselves with educational and business pursuit within and outside the region, while their accusers are those remaining in the creeks perpetuating illegalities in the name of surveillance jobs.
“Let me recall that the last time threats against the nation’s oil assets were issued was back in 2016 by the defunct Niger Delta Avengers, and those behind the membership of the Niger Delta Avengers are known to Nigerians and the security agencies.
“The Federal Government should investigate those behind the Niger Delta Avengers and they will discover that they are responsible for these desperations and blackmail against law abiding leaders and citizens from the Niger Delta region.
“These people are using false accusations to cover up their deeds. The ex-MEND Secretary-General Comrade Jude Gbaboyor promised to release footage of some of their heinous misdeeds and they have become desperate to tarnish the images of upright freedom fighters in the region as a means of distraction.”
Orughoe called on the Federal Government to hold those behind the Niger Delta Avengers responsible if there are security infractions in the region and any attack on oil assets, stating that “no right-thinking Niger Delta leaders or youths are interested in attacking the existing peace in the region. The Federal Government should check their records and review footage of the Niger Delta Avengers.”
The MSDND also noted that the threat by civil society groups involved in the December 2024 protest in front of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City USA may have added to the desperation of those involved in the plot of blackmail to devise new means of diverting FG’s attention away from the threat of further protest to draw the international community’s attention to human rights abuse in the region by hired surveillance contractors.
