MEND Slams Avengers as it gives FG 2 Weeks to Dialogue with Tompolo and others

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) which in years past carried out attacks on oil installations, has criticised the new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers for recent attacks on same facilities it was attacking.

MEND in a statement released yesterday by its famed though faceless spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, it described the Avengers as a group of criminals acting solely for their self-interests and seeking to force the hand of the federal government through persistent attacks on national assets.

The Nation reports that MEND equally gave the federal government two (2) weeks to open talks with its “Aaron team” comprising former minister, Odein Ajumogobia and fugitive ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo.

MEND however warned that it would not go into deliberations with the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) which has recently attempted to coordinate negotiations with militants, arguing that the office is not conferred with executive powers.

A portion of the statement read:

“Negotiation with NDA is merely a temporary respite, as another opportunistic group is lurking in the shadows, but dialogue and resolution of the Niger Delta question will be a sustainable solution for all stakeholders.”

It added that, “MEND had repeatedly reiterated that the Niger Delta struggle was beyond attacks on oil installations. In fact, destruction of oil and gas pipelines is an elementary course in guerilla warfare, which can be carried out by any militant group.”

The group further urged the federal government to discountenance recent visits to the presidential villa by the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State, King Alfred Diette-Spiff and some other elders who MEND accused of embarrassingly keeping mute about issues affecting the region while former President Goodluck Jonathan was in office.

Aside Ajumogobia and Tompolo, MEND listed members of its Aaron negotiation team to include: Bismark Jemide Rewane (Delta), Senator Florence Ita-Giwa (Cross River), Ledum Mitee Esq (Rivers), Lawson Omokhodion (Edo), Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom), Senator Adolphus Wabara (Abia), Alfred Isename (Edo) and Timipa Jenkins Okponipere Esq (Bayelsa) – Team Secretary.