Former members of the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force have expressed support for U.S. military operations targeting terrorists in northern Nigeria, while cautioning that continued neglect of the Niger Delta could spark renewed unrest.

In a statement signed by their former spokesman, Capt. Mark Anthony, the group praised efforts to combat terrorism, noting the countless lives lost to extremist violence.

“We commend and support the ongoing U.S. military operations against terrorists in Northern Nigeria,” the statement read.

The ex-agitators clarified that their past armed struggle was driven by economic grievances and demands for resource control, not attacks on civilians.

“Our fight was for survival, not for the killing of innocent Nigerians,” they emphasized.

The group also lauded the government’s initiative to award pipeline surveillance contracts to Tantita Security Services and other former militants, highlighting the role of these programs in safeguarding oil infrastructure and maintaining peace in the Niger Delta.

However, they warned that the calm in the region remains fragile, citing persistent underdevelopment in oil-producing communities. Inadequate infrastructure, poor access to clean water, healthcare, electricity, and roads continue to fuel discontent.

They urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to fulfill its mandate, stressing that neglect of the region is not only a national security concern but a potential threat to global stability.