SOME militant groups in Delta and Ondo States have formed a coalition in preparation for another round of kidnapping of foreign workers and bombing of oil installations in the Niger-Delta as from the first week of September.
Among the groups are the Niger-Delta Freedom Fighters (NDFF) in Egbema Area of Delta State, Aboyan Boys of Niger-Delta, a group, reportedly led by one Chief Prince Idolor in Ondo State.
Their complaint was that both the government and oil companies have failed to meet their demands for development of their areas. The Commitee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) in Delta State called on the warring groups to sheath their swords and co-operate with government in its efforts at addressing hostage-taking and other violent activities.
�We have waited for too long. We want to strike by vandalising oil installations and kidnapping of foreigners in the Niger-Delta. Those who call themselves leaders are self-centered and not working for the interest of the region. We give the government first week of September to strike,� one of the militant leaders told Vanguard on phone.
But the chairman of the CDHR in the state, Mr. Oghenejabor in a chat with Vanguard stressed the need for the militants to cease further hostilities �in order to fast- track human capital and infrastructural development of the region, as development can only take place in an atmosphere of peace and tran-quility.�
His words: �We appeal to the conscience of all warring groups in the Niger-Delta region to sheath their swords by abstaining from hostage- taking and all forms of criminality in the region, particularly after having drawn the world�s attention to the plight of the people of the region in recent times.�