Niger Delta Avengers Accuse President Buhari Of Hiring Saudi Mercenaries With $258million To Fight Militants

The Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, recently asserted that the militant group doesn't care if the Federal Government hires mercenaries from Saudi Arabia or anywhere to fight them. 

Reacting to online reports that the Nigerian government had concluded agreement with Saudi authorities to deploy Saudi Blackwater mercenaries to the Niger Delta region to tackle militants that had been bombing oil facilities, spokesperson of the group, self-styled Brig Gen Mudoch Agbinibo, said that NDA was not perturbed. 

A staff in The Royal Embassy of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria allegedly confirmed the $280 million deal, as part of the agreement in the Saudi-led Islamic coalition against terrorism to Vaxity. Anwar Eshki, a retired Major General, in the Saudi armed forces is reportedly the head of Blackwater, which undertakes such assignments for the Saudi Arabian government.

Giving reason why the Federal Government was not holding talks with the Niger Delta Avengers  on how to put an end to the bombing of pipelines, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo said that they are not freedom fighters but economic warriors who are fighting for their own private pockets. 

Professor Osinbajo who delivered the second foundation lecture of Elizade University,Ilaramokin, Ondo state entitled “The Future is here earlier than we thought”, declared that “the so called avengers are not freedom fighters but fighting for their own economic benefits. They are avenging for their private pocket and that is why government is not talking with them”.

The Federal Government  explained yesterday why it has refused to enter into dialogue with the Niger Delta Avengers who has continuously bombed pipelines in the region even as the militants  vowed not to beg government for negotiation. The Federal Government gave the explanation  a day after the Avengers blew up three more trunk lines in Bayelsa and Rivers. Meanwhile, residents of over 75 riverine communities Delta state have cried out over the pollution of their environment and environment by the activities of the Avengers and other militant groups.

Culled from: The Whistle