Military formations in the Niger Delta have been placed on red alert
over threats by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta to
resume attacks on oil installations.
MEND’s spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, had in an
email to journalists on Wednesday said the militant group would resume a
series of attacks, codenamed "Hurricane Exodus" at midnight on Friday.
MEND said the attacks would be “a direct
repercussion of a forged threat letter contrived by the Nigerian and
South African governments purporting to have originated from MEND.
“This fake letter was used as evidence
against Henry Okah on whom a 13-year sentence was passed. We are now
determined to conjure this imaginary trumped-up threat into a painful
reality.”
Military commanders in the region
including the JTF’s Sector Two commander were said to have been summoned
for an emergency meeting in the formation’s headquarters in Yenagoa. Security has also been beefed up at strategic places, including notable oil installations in the Niger Delta.
www.myprinceg.blogspot.com observed that the
military had begun unusual vehicular patrol Port-harcourt, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital just as all
entrances to the capital city witnessed increased presence of security
operatives.
Security sources also said the Officer
Commanding the Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Johnson Olutoyin, had
ordered continuous patrol of the sea and waterways in the command’s
areas of responsibility.
There were unconfirmed reports that MEND
might strike in Yenago, to embarrass President Goodluck Jonathan or hit
strategic oil installations.
Most people were seen in relaxation spots, news stands and other public places discussing the threats.
The threat had also jolted Ijaw leaders and elders.
Commenting on the fresh threat, the
President of the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, Mr. Ozobo Austin,
and the President of the National Council of Ijaw Activists, Alhaji
Yusuf Eregbene, urged MEND militants to sheath their swords.
They argued that there was no need to attack oil installations in the region.
The leaders, however, noted that it was
wrong for the Federal Government to have instigated the trial and
conviction of Okah in South Africa.
Ozobo said South Africa was not the
scene of Okah’s alleged crime, describing the action of the Nigerian
government as barbaric and unconstitutional.
He argued that there was no
international law backing the action of the government and insisted that
Okah’s conviction was politically motivated.
“That is why MEND sees it as another act
of injustice done to the people of the Niger Delta. MEND should
consider the consequences, as such attacks will inflict more pain on the
poor masses.
“We beg MEND to drop every threat and
follow due process in communicating their demands. MEND should allow the
prevailing peace to grow in the Niger Delta region.
‘’We appeal that Okah’s controversial
detention should not be used as an excuse to renew hostilities and
increase tension in the region.
“The Niger Delta people should endeavour
to avoid any thing that will make the country ungovernable, as we are
not ready to be drag to another era of bloodbath-they added.
‘’We equally use this opportunity to
appeal with the Federal Government to wade into the matter, to ensure a
soft landing for Henry Okah.”
