The Presidency has condemned threats by a militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), adding that the Federal Government has begun addressing their demands.
NDA said on Saturday that it would launch Operation Humble to cripple the oil and gas industry, as well as target political figures from the region deemed to be fraternising with the Federal Government.
In a statement by presidential spokesman Femi Adesina, the Presidency wondered why the group would issue the threats soon after President Muhammadu Buhari had already responded to most of the issues.
According to the statement, the demands for restructuring and the development of the oil-rich region were already being addressed, as was mentioned to the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) two days earlier.
The statement reads in part: “The media was Sunday awash with threats and demands by a group, Niger Delta Avengers, to embark on economic sabotage through the bombing of critical oil and gas installations unless certain demands, including the development of the Niger Delta, and restructuring of the federation, were met.
“It is, however, curious that the threat was coming less than 48 hours after the President met with the leadership of the Niger Delta and Ijaw National Congress (INC), at the Presidential Villa.
“The germane issues had been responded to, especially call for restructuring of the federation, and the inauguration of a Board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).”
