Niger Delta agitators cancel ceasefire, Launch ‘Operation Hunger Lion’ over economic hardship

• The Coalition demanded an immediate probe into the alleged missing N164 billion from NNPCL’s coffers
  

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The Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators has revoked the ceasefire it declared years ago and announced the commencement of “Operation Hunger Lion” in response to the current economic challenges faced by Nigerians, particularly the people of the Niger Delta.

In a statement issued on Saturday after an emergency meeting, the Coalition expressed deep concern over the state of the nation, pointing to widespread corruption, particularly within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other key sectors such as petroleum resources, power, education, and steel.

The Coalition demanded an immediate probe into the alleged missing N164 billion from NNPCL’s coffers and called for the dismissal of NNPCL’s Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, and his team. They accused Kyari of gross incompetence, claiming that his tenure has seen the shutdown of refineries that were previously functional and the mismanagement of funds intended for their resuscitation.

“The corruption in the country has reached its peak, especially in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NNPCL, and other key sectors,” the Coalition stated. They highlighted the soaring costs of fuel and essential commodities like cooking gas and kerosene, which have placed severe strain on the populace.

The Coalition also accused Kyari of sabotaging efforts to revive Nigeria’s refineries and of being involved in the ownership of a refinery in Malta, which they allege is used to refine Nigeria’s crude oil and re-import it at inflated prices.

Additionally, the Coalition criticized the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, describing them as “scams” and “conduit pipes” that have failed to deliver meaningful projects or interventions in the region.

In launching “Operation Hunger Lion,” the Coalition signals a return to agitation, driven by frustration over what they describe as the government’s failure to address the dire economic conditions and pervasive corruption impacting the Niger Delta and the country as a whole.