Former militant leader, Ateke Tom warns Niger Delta Avengers

Ateke Tom, a former Niger Delta militant has condemned the violent activities and attacks on oil installations by the new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers.
He warned the group against causing more harm to the region through their criminal activities, saying it would once again expose women and children in the region to serious hardship, The Nation reports.
Ateke described the Avengers as a frustrated, faceless and desperate masked group
Speaking on Monday, May 16, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, Ateke said he is ready and willing to assist the federal government negotiate with the avengers if the group is ready for peace.
The former warlord said: “ As one of the peace ambassadors in this region, I want to state it clear that any responsible Niger Delta youths would not support the criminal act being perpetrated by the so-called Niger Delta Avengers. I condemn in totality the activities of this frustrated, faceless and desperate masked group called the Avengers.
“I am also pleading with the ex-war lords not to use the issue of the avengers to hit up the polity by causing trouble in the region, either by name calling or by insulting our elders and chiefs. Bombing and destroying our oil installations and government properties in the region is only exposing children and women to another hardship. ”
Ateke therefore, called on the elders and chiefs in the Niger Delta region to caution their children, adding that there was nothing to gain from violence and trouble making.
He said they must all learn to support the government at the centre whether they are in support of it or not.
Ateke also called on security agencies to fish out the criminals and prosecute them in line with the law if they fail to lay down their arms.