More militants announce ceasefire

More militant groups in the oil-rich Niger Delta region have agreed to embrace peace – This came after the lead by the Niger Delta Avengers, who announced a ceasefire on Saturday – For months, militants in the Niger Delta region have held the nation hostage by destroying oil and gas infrastructure in the region Following the ceasefire announced by the Niger Delta Avengers, other militants in the region have decided to give peace a chance. The Reformed Egbesu Fraternities comprising Egbesu Boys of the Niger Delta, Egbesu Red Water Lions and Egbesu Mightier Fraternity, announced a 60-day ceasefire. Also giving the federal government a chance, another group of fighters, the Iduwini Volunteer Force (IVF), which operates from Bayelsa, said it was quitting the creeks temporarily, This Day reports. 

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MEND attacks Clark According to the group, it wanted to give the federal government a chance to meet the demands made by the militants. The group led by Commander Johnson Biboye said: “The leadership of the Iduwini Volunteer Force (IVF), rose from a crucial stakeholders meeting with all its unit commanders and zonal commanders to review the security situation in the Niger Delta vis-a-vis the attacks on oil and gas installations in the oil-rich region of the Niger Delta. “The meeting which started early on Sunday evening, 21st August, 2016 lasted till the early hours of Monday 22nd August, 2016 in one of our creek locations. “And we deliberated extensively on the current security situation in the Niger Delta, the efforts of notable leaders to seek peace and dialogue in resolving the crisis.” The group said after deliberations, it decided to key into the federal government’s desire to ensure that peace prevails in the Niger Delta region. : that all freedom fighting groups in the Niger Delta should embrace peace and cease fire as a mark of honour to the concerted efforts of these our notable leaders in enhancing the peace process,” it added. The IVF warned that any attempt to politicise or derail the peace process would be met with stiff resistance. Militants have been wrecking havoc in the Niger Delta region, vandalizing oil facilities while vowing to cripple the economy. The federal government has been reaching out to them for dialogue but the militants refused any form of negotiations.