In a significant development, the Niger Delta Liberation Movement (NDLM) has suspended its “Operation Chevron Dragnet” campaign, which involved attacks on Chevron Nigeria Limited’s pipelines.
The group’s decision to stand down marks a shift towards a more peaceful approach, with the NDLM opting for dialogue over destruction.
To facilitate this dialogue, the NDLM has appointed a team of seven respected mediators, including Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, Comrade Amaechi Ogbonna, Hon. Mofe Pirah, Hon. Mode Akoma, Hon. Toritseju Godwin Ebosa, and Prof. Itse Sagay.
These mediators will engage with Chevron Nigeria Limited, government representatives, and other stakeholders to address the pressing concerns of the Niger Delta region and work towards a lasting resolution.
The statement , noted in parts: “The OPERATION CHEVRON DRAGNET which was initially launched on Friday, 22nd of November 2024 with the blasting of multiple pipelines along Olero – Debi – Abiteye fields/flow stations at about 2:00 am based on Chevron Nigeria Limited’s refusal to listen to her host communities and organisations from the Itsekiri extraction that was calling for the implementation of local content law and allocate to her the rightful quota in the ongoing Chevron Nigeria Limited recruitment by a consulting firm known as dragnet is suspended on the halter of the public opinion to give room for round table dialogue between various stakeholders which includes Chevron Nigeria Limited, the Government, leaders/representatives from the host communities, interest organisations and other stakeholders on the subject matter.
“On the part of the government, is time to deem it fit to relentlessly play your various roles as expected in sustaining the social contract that binds the peaceful coexistence of the Nigerian citizens by urgently attending to the needs of Itsekiri ethnic nationality oil-producing communities as OPERATION CHEVRON DRAGNET doesn’t start and end with the issue of empowerment and conversion of staff but that of availability of drinkable water, electricity, human capital development engagement, infrastructural projects, etc.
“It is no longer news that the Itsekiri nation had lost faith in many of her leaders as they have, over time, proven to be in pursuit of their individual interests. Therefore, we believe in and recommend the following persons to be mediators/negotiators for and on behalf of the Itsekiri nation in dialogue for the way forward;
1. Chief Rita Lori Ogbebor.
2. Comrade Amechi Ogbonna.
3. Hon. Mofe Pirah.
4. Hon. Mode Akoma.
5. Hon. Toritseju Godwin Ebosa.
6. Professor Itse Sagay.
” We appreciate all our foot soldiers who had stood firm. Your various sacrifices for the Itsekiri nation shall never be in vain as we assure all to remain steadfast.”