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Zamfara Gold Bar: N’Delta Youths Demand Direct Sell Of Oil …Threaten Fresh Attacks On Oil Facilities Over #EndSARS
The Niger Delta youths under the umbrella bodies of ‘Young Democratic Movement’ and ‘South-South Youth Assembly’ have called on the Federal Government to allow the region to directly sell its oil as it recently allowed Zamfara State to sell its gold.
The Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, recently sold gold bars to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) worth about N5billion.
Irked by such move by the governor, the Niger Delta youths in a world press conference held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, yesterday, said if the Federal Government fails to accede to their demands within one week they would stage a protest that would draw the attention of the international communities.
Speaking through the Leader, Young Democratic Movement (YDM), Kuseme Idiong, and Speaker, South-South Youth Assembly (SSYA), Comrade Victor Thompson, the youths also called for proceeds of all minerals extracted in any part of the country to be shared among all the states as it is the case with oil derivatives from the Niger Delta region.
The youth groups insisted that the gold found in any state belongs to the Federal Government, the revenue generated from such mineral resources like gold should be shared among all the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), just as it is done with the Niger Delta oil.
The text partly reads, “The state government has no such audacity to sell gold bars to the apex bank worth close to about N5billion. The Federal Government must allow Niger Delta to directly sell her oil just as the recent case of Zamfara gold bar.
“For the record, Item 39 under the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) states that mines and minerals including oil fields, oil mining, geological surveys and natural gas are exclusively under the control of the Federal Government.
“The Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, which was passed into law on March 16, 2007, to repeal the Minerals and Mining Act, No. 34 of 1999 to regulate the exploration and exploitation of solid materials in Nigeria vested the control of all properties and minerals in Nigeria in the state, and prohibit unauthorised exploration or exploitation of minerals.”
They also urged the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly to revisit the derivative funds’ formula for oil-rich Niger Delta states noting that ‘oil-producing states are fed below the 13% derivation.’
Meanwhile, a group under the aegis of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) has said that it would resume hostilities in Niger Delta region, if Federal Government refuses to address the demands of the #EndSARS protesters.
The group made its position known in a communique read by its Leader, ‘Gen’ Johnmark Ezonebi, aka Obama, and made it available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
The group warned the Federal Government not to commence the military operation ‘Crocodile Smile’ in the Niger Delta, if it fails to meet the demands of the protesting youths in the country.
The statement reads: “We will engage the troops attached to the proposed operation ‘Crocodile Smile’ and resume attacks on some identified oil facilities in the region, if issues of poor welfare, armed oppression and inequality in the standard of living between the citizens and the political elite are not addressed.
“RNDA leadership has directed its strike force unit commanders in all the nine militant groups to be on standby and maintain visibility on identified locations with study and locations striking methods (VSLSM).
“We may resume heavy destruction of major crude oil pipelines and their platforms, including the major gas distribution pipelines from Escravos-Warri-Kaduna.
“Also targeted are major target pipelines, including the Chevron Valve Platform located at Abiteye, Warri-South Local Government Area, Delta State, and this is one of Chevron’s most significant platform and it serves as a connecting point where all other Chevron’s Niger Delta platforms link up.”
The group also threatened to attack “Shell underwater Forcados 48-inch export pipeline which connects from Clough Creek through River Ramos Creek delivery line to the Forcados Terminal, a major and one of Nigeria’s highest crude delivery pipeline will be brought down as well as the major Escravos trans Lagos pipeline linking Warri to Lagos.
“Major gas pipeline that supplies both Lagos and Abuja with constant electricity supply will be cut off and other several gas and oil pipelines belonging to the NNPC located near Warri within the hinterland will also be blown up.
“The major Chevron main electricity feedback pipelines located at the Escravos Tank Farm at Ciera Creek will not be left out in this well-coordinated attack, the major one of the highest crude oil-producing wells owned by Chevron, which are RMP23 and RMP24 all located near Dibi in Delta State and it contributes majorly to the daily crude oil production chain of the country will all be blown up and cut to zero level and the Bunny Nembe Creek trunk pipeline located at Bonny Export Terminal line will not be left out,” the militants warned.
The group further called on Federal Government to use the good opportunity to restructure the country for true federalism where resource control would be alternative.
By: Enoch Epelle
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.