*JTF personnel inspecting a bombed pipeline.
22 May 2016, Lagos — Former militant leaders, under the aegis of Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, have urged the Niger Delta Avengers to embrace peace and stop their unnecessary destruction of pipelines and national assets.
The LPCDI, the umbrella body of most of the first phase ‘Generals’ in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, made the call after rising from an emergency All Niger Delta Security Stakeholders Meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
The ex-militants in a statement signed by the National President, LPCDI, Reuben Wilson, aka ‘General Pastor’, on Saturday, told the Avengers that the use of violence to agitate for the betterment of the region was no more necessary and had been overtaken by events.
Wilson, therefore, asked the NDA to rather channel their grievances to President Muhammadu Buhari through the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd.) for more effective result.
He warned them that their current violent campaign was not in the best and collective interest of the Niger Delta but would rather impoverish the people of the region, attract unnecessary hardship and worsen their plight.
Wilson appealed to the Niger Delta people to give President Buhari the opportunity to fulfill his promise to the region by maintaining peace, saying there could not be any meaningful development in an environment ravaged by violence.
He added, “The Niger Delta struggle has advanced beyond the use of violence. We had in the past used violence to attract the entire world to the plight of the region.
“We, therefore, need to utilise other peaceful and civil means to build on the sympathy of the world towards the Niger Delta for more effective results rather than resorting to violence.
“That the current resurgence of militancy is an unnecessary distraction to the current administration.
“That all groups and individuals actively involved in the Niger Delta struggle should channel their grievances to Buhari through Paul Boroh for more effective coordination and positive resolution of their grievances.
“That every Ijaw group or persons involved in region’s struggle that for any reason is unable to utilise the office of the SA to President on Niger Delta Affairs to resolve issues bordering on the betterment of the region or Ijaw ethnic nationality should utilise the platform of Ijaw Youth Council or reach out to Victor Ebikabowei, aka General Boyloaf, to mediate in the resolution of such issues.”
