Ex-militants Want Pipeline Security Contract Reviewed

Some ex-Niger Delta militants have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to review the oil pipeline and water ways security contract awarded by former President Goodluck Jonathan to some ex-militant leaders just as they appealed to the President not to scrap the amnesty programme. 

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja yeaterday, the National President of the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-agitators, General Israel Akpodoro, said there was a need to review the amnesty programme and the pipeline security contracts as they favour only a few ex-militant leaders.

According to the Nation, Akporodo said the former militants were behind Buhari’s administration adding that threats by Asari-Dokubo that militants will return to the creeks if the amnesty programme or pipeline security contracts are rescinded as false.

The ex-militant also urged Boko Haram insurgents to drop their arms and negotitate an amnesty programme with the Buhari’s government which he believed will be given.

The former militant said while kidnappings and oil pipeline sabotage are the major issues affecting the region, the oil pipeline contracts have been hijacked by the cabals.

Akpodoro said: “I am appealing to Buhari to review the contract for pipelines protection to bring enduring peace in the Niger Delta. Buhari should review the Amnesty Programme because there is a lot of fraud in the programme.  He should remove the bad eggs and put the right people who will know the problems of the Niger Delta.”

Last week, Akporodo also slammed Asari Dokubo for making flagrant statements. Asari had said that the policies started by Buhari would define the next line of action that the militant group would take.

The former warlord blamed some ex-militants of being more worried about how to benefit from Buhari’s administration than focus on subjects related to the region.

The nation also reports officials of the New Age Global Security and Surveillance (one of the companies awarded the pipeline security contracts) foiled an attempt by vandals to destroy one of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines in Mosinmi, Sagamu, Ogun State.

Lateef  Lawal, a spokeman for the firm said, up to 20 thugs carrying a generator, pumping machine, digger, wrench, adaptor drilling, sledge hammer, spanner and other equipment tried to sabotage the pipeline.