FEBRUARY 6, 2012 BY AGENCY REPORTER
Niger Delta militants | credits: File copy
THE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, on Sunday, claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack on an AGIP trunk line in Brass, Bayelsa State.
MEND, which said that the attack signaled the resumption of its bombing campaign in the region and beyond, also vowed to launch attacks on South African business interests in the country.
MEND was the main militant group in the oil region prior to the Federal Government’s amnesty programme initiated by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration in 2009.
In a statement signed by the group’s spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, and sent to THE PUNCH on Sunday via electronic mail, MEND explained that the attack on Agip trunk line was a reminder that its men were still in the creeks.
The MEND statement reads, “On Saturday the 4th of February at 1930hrs, fighters of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta attacked and destroyed the Agip trunk line at brass in Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
“This relatively insignificant attack is a reminder of our presence in the creeks of the Niger Delta and a sign of things to come. In this new phase of our struggle for justice, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) will pay considerable attention to dealing with security forces and traitorous indigenes of the Niger Delta.
“In this regard, MEND wishes to confirm that our fighters were responsible for the attack at Ogbobagbene in Burutu local government area of Delta State, on the compound of Godsday Orubebe, Minister for Niger Delta.”
MEND vowed to reduce Nigeria’s oil production capacity to zero and chase away oil companies operating in the area, even as it promised to make two South African’s firms operating in Nigeria, MTN and SacOil, pay for their country’s actions in the country.
The group said, “The general public is again advised to take very seriously, any warnings of impending bombings. Such warnings will always precede a bombing, providing sufficient time for evacuation.
“Specific members of the security services and the media will in addition to email, receive notification of an impending attack, by SMS in order to minimize the possibility of civilian casualties.”
The group had claimed responsibility for the twin bombings that rocked the nation’s 50th anniversary celebration in Abuja on October 1, 2010. It had also given prior warnings before the bombs went off and killed 12persons.
MEND pointed out that it had consistently warned Nigerians over President Goodluck Jonathan and his cabinet’s inability to lead Nigeria.
It, however, called on Nigerians to disregard “the idle threats and ranting of imaginary militant groups and other hired ‘Jonathan praise singers’, who had not been able to help the President.
“The statement reads further, “Our silence thus far, has been strategic and at the right time, we will reduce Nigerian oil production to zero and drive off our land, thieving oil companies. British Petroleum is prepared to pay $25bn compensation for the Gulf of Mexico oil spillage, yet for worse spillages in the Niger Delta; our people are paid with death at the hands of the Nigerian military.
“In the dark days to come, MTN, SacOil, and other South African investments will pay a heavy price for the interference of Jacob Zuma in the legitimate fight for justice in the Niger Delta, by its people. The South African President has reduced himself to the position of a hired thug for Goodluck Jonathan.”
It observed that a government that was incapable of managing roads, refineries, power stations and other basic infrastructure was again squandering valuable public funds on a committee tasked with investigating the viability of nuclear energy for electricity generation.
According to MEND, the government of Nigeria is incapable of safely disposing household refuse. “How then do they plan to deal with the toxic by-product of nuclear energy?” it asked.
Reacting to MEND’s statement, the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta region codenamed, ‘Operation Pulo Shield’ condemned the attack on Agip oil installation in Bayelsa.
The JTF in a statement signed by its Media Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Antigha, recalled how the Niger Delta region was almost plunged into the abyss by agitation for the development of the region. It observed that the Federal Government had reacted to the aspiration of the agitators by embarking on programmes that were aimed at addressing the human development and infrastructural deficits that existed.
“These programmes are ongoing and verifiable. Unfortunately, people who were never part of the agitation have emerged and want to claim amnesty and its benefits by force. It should be noted that it is not possible to run an inelastic amnesty programme.
“Consequently, the JTF advises Niger Deltans to be mindful of people who are out to swindle them by wrongfully appropriating the identity of the erstwhile leadership of MEND to curry sympathy for their selfish and criminal interest,” the statement reads.
The military taskforce also called on the people of the region to join security agencies in the fight against the militants by giving timely and accurate information on their activities.
SOURCE: The Punch, 6 February 2012. http://punchontheweb.com/
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