– Briggs laments that she has been receiving calls from faceless people
– Groups say the threats were as a result of a publication made by an online medium
The life of popular Niger Delta activist, Annkio Briggs, is in danger, the Niger Delta Self-Determination Movement (NDSDM) as well as the Niger Delta Occupy Niger Delta Resources (NDONDR) have both said.
The groups said Briggs who is their convener has been threatened by some faceless individuals following an online report (not NAIJ.com) concerning allegations against her by the New Initiative For Credible Leadership (NICL), a group led by one Reverend Steve Onwu.
Annkio Briggs: two groups say her life is in danger.
They both said Onwu is not known by anybody but that his statement was published by the online medium operating from Lagos putting the woman in danger.
According to the two groups, the story published with the headline: ‘Group accuses Annkio Briggs of supporting militant group’, had alleged that Briggs was supporting major militant groups in the region and as such supporting violence.
They claimed that the report misrepresented her beliefs and opinions as published by two national newspapers to which he granted interview recently.
“We are inclined to react to the report in order to put the records straight as well as expose the devious plan being hatched by some unscrupulous Nigerians who don’t mean well for our country.
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“Without any shadow of doubt, the prime subject of the NICL attack, Ms Briggs, is a highly respected, consistent and truthful national and international advocate for justice, equity, and a non-violent agitator for her beloved and much cherished Niger Delta people and region.
“Briggs is a media-friendly advocate, who has over the years maintained a very cordial and respectful relationship with the media, appreciating the credible role that journalists and journalism play in nation-building and information dissemination,” the groups said.
Continuing, the groups said: “It is rather unfortunate that this medium has in the last few years allowed itself to be used to publish very libelous, malicious, defamatory, harmful, hurtful and detrimental reports impugning on her hard-earned reputation and credibility.
“For clarity, in the last 18 months this is the third time that the same media organisation has through its online edition published lies against our leader and our Convener.
“A few days ago, Ms Briggs granted interviews published in two major national newspapers – The Guardian on Saturday, May 14, 2016 and Daily Trust on Sunday, May 15, 2016. While she did not determine the headlines for the newspapers, she as usual defended her position on national, political and Niger Delta issues as it is her basic, inalienable and constitutional right to do.
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“Briggs has never shied away from expressing her views on all and any issue she decides to speak on, and she will continue to remain unapologetic in her commitment, love and defense of her people of the Niger Delta region, the environment of the Niger Delta, the development and political rights of her people and region.”
Comrade Bristol-Alagbariya Emmanuel, who signed a statement for the two groups, said it was annoying for the alleged faceless group, led by Onwu, to interpret Ms Briggs’ interviews in ways that have placed her in danger.
The groups wondered why Onwu would link Briggs with Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s former president, who was accused by Olusegun Obasanjo of training snipers in an open letter the latter wrote last year.
“Besides, Dr. Jonathan cannot be referred to as Briggs’ principal when the latter has never been in the employment of the former,” they said.
The Niger Delta has been a hotbed for militant activities. In recent times, militants have blown up pipelines while the government has vowed to tackle the militants.
British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond also said that President Muhammadu Buhari needs urgently to address grievances in Niger Delta region where militants have been blowing up oil pipelines.
Vanguard reports that a senior British official spoke about Nigeria’s “major concern” on Sunday, May 15, on the sidelines of a regional security conference in Abuja.
The swamps of the southern Delta have been recently hit by a series of attacks on pipelines and other oil and gas facilities by a new group of militants.
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