AVENGERS ISSUES

Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), the militant group operating in Nigeria has threatened to declare independence for the country's oil rich region by October 1, 2016.

The militant group on Thursday said it would go ahead unless the government restructures the country as demanded.

"The October 1 declaration of independence is still sacrosanct if the Nigeria government fails to retrace it’s step by restructuring this country.’’

The states targeted by the group are Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers state.

Federal governments and citizens in the areas have disowned the militants.

The militant group, which announced its emergence in May this year with the bombing of oil and gas infrastructure of Shell and Agip oil companies said they would not relent in their campaign.

"Our prayer for (President) Buhari and the Northern hypocrite (Northern Governors) is that oil should be found in commercial quantity in the North, so they can let the Niger Delta go,"’ group's spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo said online.

The group accused President Muhammadu Buhari’s of failing Nigerians follwing "their misdirected policies that has divide the country."

Meanwhile, Governor Ifanyi Okowa of Delta State, has warned the Avengers to keep away from the state.

He said that his state is made up of many ethnic groups and would not allow a group to drag it into disrepute.

The activities of Niger Delta Avengers have caused a resurgence of militancy in the region, crippling oil and gas production. The country's daily out of crude oil has dropped from 2.2 million barrel to less than 900,000 barrels.

Efforts by the federal government to dialogue with the Avengers have been rebuffed.

Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, a breakaway from the Avengers has been engaging government in dialogue.