The recent bombings and pipeline vandalization, carried out by the Niger Delta militants have been roundly condemned, even as the leaders and elders of the Niger Delta area have been called upon to join hands in seeking a permanent solution to the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers and other Militant Groups in the region. 
These admonitions were contained in a statement issued by a socio-political group in the Niger-Delta, the Africa Liberation Network, (ALNET) and signed by its convener Eddy Macauley, who said that the group has watched with dissatisfaction as the militants continue to blow up Oil facilities in the region, describing the activities of the militants as disdainful, berating and undermining the collective efforts of the elites in the region and adding that, while an owner does not destroy what he owns, it was shameful that the Leaders of the region have allegedly sold their place to these militants, who now parade themselves as Leaders of the region.
The group, which strongly asserted that there is nothing like a “Niger Delta Movement, said it was compelled to opine that, “THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS NIGER DELTA MOVEMENT”, even as it added that the agitation of a few claiming to be speaking on behalf of the region was a FRAUD and the Conditions / List of negotiators given by the NDA was a proof of this claim.
The ALNET, with a Vision is “To Create a new Mindset; Drive a new Consciousness for Africa with the YOUTHS taking up Responsibility”, and the MISSION of “Raising the LEADERS that’ll chart a new course and rebuild the Nations of Africa”, further stated categorically that, “Tompolo and the likes are not Leaders in Niger Delta. We the elites of the region have dissociated ourselves from the activities of the militants; it is a racket by a few to enrich themselves just like the Amnesty program of the previous government. This is evident in the fact that all the self-acclaimed generals of the Amnesty program were IJAWS. The question that comes to mind is “IS IT ONLY THE IJAWS THAT MAKES UP NIGER DELTA?” the group asked rhetorically.
The statement equally pointed out that any attempt to negotiate with the militants on behalf of the region, will be biased and disrespectful to other parts of the Niger Delta, even as it drew the attention of the Federal Government and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, retired Brigadier General Paul Boroh, to communities with huge Oil deposit, like Uzere, which was the 2nd place where Oil was found in Nigeria after Oloibiri, when oil exploration started in Uzere in 1957, has two oil fields (Uzere West and Uzere East) with a total of 43 oil wells producing about 53,000 barrels per day (8,400 m3/d) and lays claim as one of the largest oil producing communities in Nigeria. The group then went on to state emphatically that any negotiation on behalf of the Niger Delta should involve at least a representative from each of the oil producing communities, otherwise it is FRAUDULENT and ONE-SIDED. “We therefore implore the Federal Government to take precaution in trying to negotiate with Militants so as not to ignite fresh crisis in other Niger Delta oil producing communities or ethnic group where there seem to be relative peace,” they warned.
The statement concludes by charging the Governors, Elders, Senators, Reps, Assembly members, Traditional & Religious leaders in the region to wake-up and step up their game, noting that being a Leader requires some level of Forward Thinking, Conflict Resolution skills and the Courage to stand for what is RIGHT regardless of who’s involved. Your true leadership begins from the day you openly condemn the activities of the militants which has brought more sufferings to OUR PEOPLE; it is evil and detrimental to the progress of the Niger Delta. Our lands, crops are being destroyed, our water is contaminated, our fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers are suffering & dying from the impact of militant activities. We must openly resist the impression and feeling that “FORCE / VIOLENCE” is the only way to get more from the central government; it is archaic, old fashion, shameful, disgraceful and unimpressive”, the group stated.
