The Reformed Egbesu Boys of Niger Delta have denied having links with the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force, ( JNDLF), and Niger Delta Avengers, (NDA).
Leaders of the group, commander Ebi Abakoromor, and. General Tony Alagbakeriowei in a statement signed by Osita Duru declared “We align ourselves with the unilateral declaration of cessation of hostilities on oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta by various militant organizations. We are in total support of the Federal Government option of dialogue, taking into cognizance the numerous appeals from both local and international platforms.
“In as much as we have considered this option, we wish to reaffirm that the Ijaws have never been a conquered people.
“The Reformed Egbesu Boys of Niger Delta wishes to state that we are not comfortable with some aspects of the demands contained in the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Forces as published in the mass media and the Avengers. “The Niger Delta agitation is not about persons as portrayed in the said publication. The Ijaw agitation has always been issues of resource control and true federalism and inequality where our farmlands have been divided into oil blocks among Nigerians to the exclusion of the Ijaws. Therefore, the legitimate agitation of the Ijaw ethnic nationality has nothing to do with Sambo Dasuki and Nnamdi Kanu, though we sympathize with them.
“The former commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Government Ekpemupolo, is one of the symbols of our struggle. “We strongly recommend that a political solution be explored by the negotiation team to resolve his issues with the Federal Government.
The Reformed Egbesu boys tabled seven demands before the government, including
1. Increase the derivation percentage to 50% and payment of 50% directly to the communities through appropriate structures.
2. Release of all persons currently in detention facilities, dropping and pardoning of persons detained and creation of Niger Delta Investment and Development Bank.
Adding that “Pipeline surveillance contracts should be reserved for the current agitating youths because Nigeria cannot safeguard these facilities; and the oil majors and related agencies, such as NNPC, PTDF, NPDC and NSPIMS should create 6,000 job slots.”
“We warn the Federal Government to be sincere and committed to the peace process and to state that any deviation would lead to resumption of hostilities.
“In conclusion, we wish to reaffirm the Ijaw position of true federalism within a restructured state and the Federal Government should immediately activate the necessary platform”.
The commencement of academic activities at the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State and restructuring of the Amnesty programme with upward review of funding to accommodate more beneficiaries, also formed part of their request.
The group further warned Ateke Tom, militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, General Boyloaf and other militant leaders not to interfere in the on going negotiating with the federal Government.
