The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) ON Saturday attacked and destroyed the trunk line of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in coastal Brass in Bayelsa State. The group which also vowed to launch attacks on South African business interests in Nigeria claimed responsibility for the attacks on the compound of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, at Ogbobagbene in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
MTN and SacOil are two major companies in Nigeria with substantial South African interests.
MEND in an online statement signed by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo explained that the attacks were to remind overnment that the group is still in the creeks warning that they would soon launch more attacks at certain targets.
“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”, the group said.
MEND also advised Nigerians to ensure they heed warnings on imminent bombings seriously as they were prepared to launch more attacks.
“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 added.
Accusing President Jonathan administration of inept and incapable of tackling Nigerian problems, the group called on the citizenry to disregard threats by some militant groups to attack segments of the country.
“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”, they said.
However in its reaction, the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta region codenamed, ‘Operation Pulo Shield’ condemned the attack on Agip Oil installation and vowed to flush out the group from their hideout.
The JTF in a statement signed by its Media Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Antigha, urged the people of the region to volunteer useful information on how to arrest members of the group.
JTF noted that agitation for the region which triggered the militia struggle in the first instance is receiving federal government attention wondering what the present bombing is intended to achieve.
“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,” JTF added.
MTN and SacOil are two major companies in Nigeria with substantial South African interests.
MEND in an online statement signed by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo explained that the attacks were to remind overnment that the group is still in the creeks warning that they would soon launch more attacks at certain targets.
“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”, the group said.
MEND also advised Nigerians to ensure they heed warnings on imminent bombings seriously as they were prepared to launch more attacks.
“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 added.
Accusing President Jonathan administration of inept and incapable of tackling Nigerian problems, the group called on the citizenry to disregard threats by some militant groups to attack segments of the country.
“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”, they said.
However in its reaction, the Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta region codenamed, ‘Operation Pulo Shield’ condemned the attack on Agip Oil installation and vowed to flush out the group from their hideout.
The JTF in a statement signed by its Media Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Antigha, urged the people of the region to volunteer useful information on how to arrest members of the group.
JTF noted that agitation for the region which triggered the militia struggle in the first instance is receiving federal government attention wondering what the present bombing is intended to achieve.
“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,” JTF added.
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