Former Niger-Delta agitator and freedom fighter, Endurance Amagbein, has raised an alarm about an alleged plan to attack military formations in the creeks of Bayelsa State. According to Amagbein, some unidentified persons are allegedly planning to carry out the attack and then falsely pin it on him. He has strongly distanced himself from the plot and reiterated that the days of militancy and armed agitation in the Niger Delta are long over.
Amagbein, who once led militant groups in the region and was known as “General” during the height of the Niger-Delta insurgency, condemned the supposed attack and called for an end to false accusations aimed at tarnishing his reputation. In a statement released by his media aide, Mr. Mightywind Dudafa, in Abuja, Amagbein reaffirmed his commitment to peace and stability in the region. He emphasized that he has no part in any planned attack on military personnel and that it was wrong to accuse him of such actions simply because of his past as a former militant leader.
“I am not the one behind the attack. I condemn in the strongest possible terms any attempt to cause violence in the region. The era of militancy in the Niger Delta is over, and I will not be dragged into any acts of violence,” Amagbein declared.
Amagbein’s remarks come at a time when the region, long plagued by militancy, has seen a shift towards peace. The Niger Delta, which has been the epicenter of oil exploration and environmental degradation in Nigeria, was also home to various militant groups that fought for a better share of the country’s oil wealth. The government’s response to the agitation was marked by military action and a subsequent amnesty deal that disarmed many former militants. However, remnants of these groups have continued to sporadically disrupt peace in the region.
Amagbein himself was once a prominent figure in the Niger Delta struggle, leading several operations aimed at drawing national and international attention to the issues facing oil-bearing communities. He acknowledged that militancy in the region was not born out of a desire for personal gain or poverty but out of a desperate need for the government to address the dire circumstances of the people, particularly those living in the oil-rich areas that were being neglected.
“Let it be known that we did not take up arms because we wanted to be militants. We fought because the government failed to address the issues facing our people. But that chapter is closed. The Niger Delta is ready for peace,” he explained.
While distancing himself from any involvement in militant activities, Amagbein took the opportunity to commend the current administration under President Bola Tinubu for its efforts to improve the lives of people in the Niger Delta. According to him, the government has made significant strides in addressing some of the region’s long-standing grievances, and he expressed his support for these efforts.
“I appreciate what President Bola Tinubu’s administration is doing for the people of the Niger Delta. There are clear signs that the government is committed to addressing our concerns, and I support the initiatives being put in place,” Amagbein said.
He highlighted that the federal government’s attention to the region’s development needs is critical in fostering long-lasting peace. Amagbein also praised the government’s investment in infrastructure and the promotion of dialogue between the people of the region and the federal government.
However, he expressed frustration that certain groups were still attempting to drag his name into matters he had no part in, particularly in light of his past involvement with the militancy in the Niger Delta.
Amagbein revealed that he had received intelligence reports indicating that some individuals are planning to attack military personnel in Bayelsa State and frame him for the crime. He expressed deep concern over these developments, believing that the plot was orchestrated by people looking to settle scores and falsely associate him with violence in the region.
“These people are bent on bringing me down at all costs. They want to attack military personnel, then accuse me of being behind it. This is an effort to destroy my reputation and to make it look like I am against the government and the military, which is far from the truth,” he said.
Amagbein made it clear that he has no interest in violent conflict and does not want to be associated with any group or individuals who aim to disrupt the peace in the Niger Delta or elsewhere in the country.
“This is an unfortunate situation, and I call on the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and other influential groups in the Niger Delta to call these individuals to order. It is demoralizing when I hear that I am being accused of things I know nothing about. I have worked too hard for peace in this region to be tarnished by people with their own selfish motives,” Amagbein added.
In his statement, Amagbein also called on the military personnel in the creeks of Bayelsa State to remain vigilant and alert to any potential threats to their safety. He acknowledged the difficult work that military personnel do in maintaining peace in the region and expressed his appreciation for their sacrifice.
“I pray for the safety of our military personnel in the Niger Delta. They have made so many sacrifices to ensure that we have peace, and they deserve our support and respect,” he said.
