Stop linking us to Niger Delta Avengers, we have surrendered — Ex-Militant group begs FG

A group of ex-militants known as Former Forest Soldiers, FFS, aka Isaac Boro Last Born, has absolved itself from security reports that it is part of rampaging militant group, Niger Delta Avengers.

The former agitators made their stance known at the back drop of security reports linking the group to Avengers, a separatist group that has claimed responsibility for several bombings of oil installations in the oil rich region.

Leader of the group, General O. Ibori, who dismissed the group’s involvement in any act of bombing or kidnapping in Arepo, Lagos State said, “We are ex-militants and not part of Avengers. We are shocked that the Federal Government has reneged on its part to fulfil its obligation from the several peaceful dialogues we had with it after we laid down our weapons for years now.

“We have surrendered but rather than fulfil its obligation by enlisting us in the amnesty programme, the Federal Government just began linking us to some recent kidnappings in the Arepo area of Lagos and the destructive activities of the Avengers that we know nothing about. All we want is to be part of the amnesty programme as the final step of the various dialogues.

“Security forces have burnt down three houses of our leader in Lagos in connection with a purported recent kidnapping in Arepo area and security men have been hunting us down. This is why are crying out that we were not responsible for any act of kidnapping and we are not part of the Avengers, only that we are asking to be enlisted in the amnesty programme.

“The government has chosen force and fire instead of peace and freedom. It has reneged on its part after the various dialogue we had, but we have pledged to be law abiding and never return to arms any longer. We are now asking the Federal Government to stop harassing us and members of our families, including burning down our homes and stop treating us as if we are part the Avengers, because we have given peace a chance.”