We did not meet with Kachikwu - Niger Delta Avengers

The Niger Delta Avengers said it did not have any meeting with Ibe Kachikwu – The militants said anybody parading as their representative was a political jobber The Niger Delta Avengers has denied reports that its representatives met with Ibe Kachikwu, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum. Kachikwu paid a visit to Delta state on Thursday, June 16, where he was reported to have met with the militants at the state government house.

A copy of the communique of the meeting obtained by Sahara reports showed that the meeting had in attendance Governor Patrick Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, an Itsekiri militant leader, Ayirimi Emami, a representative of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Michael Johny and two persons representing the interest of the Niger Delta Avengers: Gbeneka Godspwoer and Dan Ekpebide. In reaction, the Avengers took to its official Twitter handle to say whoever met with Kachikwu was not their representative.

“We want to say it’s a lie and anybody parading themselves as Niger Delta Avengers representatives are political jobbers,” the group said.

Militants in the Niger Delta region especially the Niger Delta Avengers have been blowing up oil and gas installations in the region and they have vowed to continue with the destruction until zero oil is produced in the region. Following the re-occurring oil pipeline vandalism, Nigeria’s daily oil production has reduced to 680,000 barrels per day. Two weeks ago, the federal government said it was ready to dialogue with the militants and set up a committee to be coordinated by the office of the National Security Adviser.

Days later, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) announced the setup of a team for the talks with federal government over Niger Delta crisis. However, Bibi Oduku, a former militant has advised the federal government not to negotiate with the Niger Delta Avengers and other militants in the region. According to him, engaging in dialogue with the militants will make attacks on oil installations as well as other forms of violence a vicious cycle in the area.