Th e High Command of the Niger Delta Creek Warriors and other militant groups in the region yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, address some vital issues in the region, and expressed support for Chief E. K. Clark-led PANDEF. It also slammed MEND, warning it against its activities in the region.
Th is was contained in statement jointly issued by the spokesmen of the groups, led by that of the Niger Delta Creek Warriors (NDCW), General Christ Etareotu. It read in part: “And we are sending this warning to MEND that we Kick against their activities in the region. And that they should stay clear from matters of the Niger Delta. MEND who recently pulled out of PANDEF; to us it is the best decision that as happened to PANDEF because their activities has no use and no eff ect to the people of the region.
“What have the disbanded elements called MEND done for the people in the Niger Delta, knowing fully well the kind of resources that were given to them by the Goodluck Jonathan administration through the Nigeria Amnesty Offi ce. Th e same old people, who crave for power, were the persons who mediate between the federal government and them which made them to achieve their aims.
Now they are turning against them, because of selfi shness. What did they do with the Amnesty money? Th ey never deemed it fi t to empower the youth in the region.” Continuing, it read: “Rather they enrich themselves, with surveillance contracts money, NDDC contracts, converted the militants monthly stipends to their family members, forgetting the people who died for them to actualise their dreams. MEND was having everything it takes to actualise the dream of the Niger Delta People’s Republic, but they dropped the struggle and collected stipends which they now live fat with. “What does MEND actually have against PANDEF rather than their personal and selfi sh reasons? MEND is the original contributor to the recent crisis in the region. Henceforth MEND should desist from matters of the region and stop deceiving our youths. We, the various militants groups in region, have decided to throw our weight behind the PANDEF. We are okay and we now have confi dence in the PANDEF, which is led by Papa E. K. Clark. Henceforth, MEND should distance themselves from matters of the Niger delta region.”
