Read what ex-militant leader, Ateke Tom has to say about Niger Delta Avengers

– Former militant leader, Ateke Tom has reacted to the recent violent activities of Niger Delta avengers

– He cautioned the militants to stop causing havoc in the region as it will only bring about untold hardship

– The former warlord called on youths in the region not to support the group

Ateke Tom, a former Niger Delta militant has condemned the violent activities and attacks on oil installations by the new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers.

He warned the group against causing more harm to the region through their criminal activities, saying it would once again expose women and children in the region to serious hardship, The Nation reports.

Speaking on Monday, May 16, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, Ateke said he is ready and willing to assist the federal government negotiate with the avengers if the group is ready for peace.

READ ALSO: Army vows to expose Niger Delta Avengers

The former warlord said: “As one of the peace ambassadors in this region, I want to state it clear that any responsible Niger Delta youths would not support the criminal act being perpetrated by the so-called Niger Delta Avengers. I condemn in totality the activities of this frustrated, faceless and desperate masked group called the Avengers.

“I am also pleading with the ex-war lords not to use the issue of the avengers to hit up the polity by causing trouble in the region, either by name calling or by insulting our elders and chiefs. Bombing and destroying our oil installations and government properties in the region is only exposing children and women to another hardship.”

Ateke therefore, called on the elders and chiefs in the Niger Delta region to caution their children, adding that there was nothing to gain from violence and trouble making.

He said they must all learn to support the government at the centre whether they are in support of it or not.

Ateke also called on security agencies to fish out the criminals and prosecute them in line with the law if they fail to lay down their arms.

READ ALSO: Niger Delta Avengers threaten to frustrate Buhari

Last week, the avengers released a list of prominent Nigerians from the north who owned oil blocs in the Niger Delta region, asking them to vacate or have them blown up. The group also hinted that its ultimate goal was a free Niger Delta Republic for the South South and South East regions of Nigeria.

However, a group of ex-militants under the aegis of the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force announced on May 15, that there will never be a Niger Delta Republic, saying it would fight any attempt to plunge the region into crisis by the action of the NDA.

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