Avengers ‘invite’ Buhari to Niger Delta

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), the new militant group in the Niger Delta region, wants President Muhammadu Buhari to visit the region to physically experience the pains of the community “in the hands of the Nigerian government and the multinationals”.

The invitation, which was delivered in a statement on Saturday, comes three weeks after the group warned the president to “sign his death warrant” before visiting Ogoniland.

“Buhari is trying to visit Ogoniland, but he should sign his death warrant before coming to Port Harcourt or try to visit any state of the Niger Delta community, Biafra land,” a suspected NDA member had told IBT.

“We are starting a dance he cannot finish. We shall dance like vultures. He [Buhari] has dared to wake a sleeping lion, but I promise him this time around if he tries to step his foot in any community of the Niger Delta, in Biafraland, he will not go back alive.

“Any Niger Deltan who will try to walk with Buhari shall also go to his grave that day. This is our assurance.”

Buhari eventually decided against the trip to Ogoniland, although the presidency did not state whether the avengers’ threat influenced the cancellation.

Saturday’s statement, signed by Moduch Agbinibo, was softer in tone.

“The Nigeria President Buhari should visit Ugborodo host to Chevron crude oil Export terminal/EGTL gas plant, Ogulagha host to Shell Forcados Crude Oil Export terminal/tank farm, Bonny Island host to Shell Bonny Crude Oil Export terminal/NLNG gas terminal, Brass host to Agip/ENI export terminal, Ibeno host to ExxonMobil Qua Iboe crude export terminal,” the statement read.

“These are just the export terminals not talking about the numerous oil and gas flow stations and the oil wells that crisscross the length and breadth of the Niger delta.

“Mr. President come and see for yourself what the host communities are going through in the hands of Nigeria government and the multinationals.”