Exactly three weeks after it called-off what it described as planned attacks on mosques and related institutions over the bombings and killing of southerners in the North by Boko Haram insurgents, the Movement for Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, claimed it struck in the early hours of Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
The militant group said it secretly attached portable military limpet explosives on two articulated petrol tanker vehicles outside the NNPC depot in Abaji, Abuja, at about 5.00 am and detonated the devices.
NE could not verify the claim at press time while the media manager of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidy of the NNPC, Nasir Imodagbe, denied the bombing claim.
MEND, in an electronic mail statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, stated that its field operatives carried out the purported Abuja explosion on two oil tankers, demanding, among other things, the release of its leader, Henry Okah, and his brother, Charles, both of whom, they alleged, were set up as scapegoats by the Federal Government on the October 1, 2010 bombings in Abuja.
According to the group, “Hurricane Exodus’ resumed at about 00:05hrs on Saturday, June 15, 2013, when field operatives from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) stealthily attached portable military limpet explosives magnetically to two (2) articulated tanker vehicles laden with petrol in a queue outside the NNPC depot in Abaji, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”
MEND continued: “The devices were timed to detonate simultaneously several seconds later. The outcome was predictable. This segment of Exodus codenamed, ‘Operation Touch and Go’, is targeted at the soft underbelly (downstream sector) of the oil industry in Nigeria.
“From today (yesterday), every tanker vehicle we find distributing petroleum products, including propane gas, has become a legitimate target in our war against injustice, corruption, despotism and oppression. Drivers of tanker vehicles continue to drive them at their own risk.”
Warning
The militant group warned, “The public is hereby advised to maintain a safe distance from such vehicles as they can explode anytime and anywhere. Harassment on these tanker vehicles would be sustained until the following demands are met:
*Henry Okah, his brother, Charles, and other innocent persons set up as scapegoats and held over the October 01, 2010 twin car bombings in Abuja be released unconditionally.
*That an unreserved apology be tendered by the Nigerian government to MEND for presenting a forged email letter threatening the South African government purported to have originated from us and used as evidence in the sham trial and conviction of Henry Okah.
*That a separate independent body outside Nigeria investigates the forged letter so as to ascertain its authenticity and make their findings public.
*That since our struggle has never been about a Goodluck Jonathan Presidency, nor about been beneficiaries of dubious pipeline protection contracts and other forms of bribery, a conference to address the injustice, underdevelopment, environmental degradation and outstanding root issues confronting the Niger Delta region must be fixed to hold within three (3) months.”
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Gud kip it up' since GEJ govt is useless
ReplyDeletewhat is d different btw boko haram & mend.all dis terrorist groups should be proscribe.God bless nigeria
ReplyDeleteNigeria my country, chaos everywhere.
ReplyDeleteFrom Boko Haram in the North to MEND in the South South and MASSOB in the South East.
Posterity will judge us for our actions.
God is watching!
Ada.
Ada, is only a blind dumb can mention Massob alongside these,it has not carried arms against the government nor the people. Rather the reverse is the case as we ve bn hearing, IGP boys police arresting and secretly killing them. There is no equity. U didn't mention OPC in the southwest.
DeleteBitola
Constructive critique; legitimate demands. Insurgents with a purpose.
ReplyDeleteWhere were you when bh was on rampage. This is uncalled for.
ReplyDeleteThose that war against peace are enemies of God. Use your talent to develop the Niger Delta and our God would bless you.
Naija!naija!! Wat u have to do do quick!!!
ReplyDeleteTheir pocket don DEY empty. Them want salary increase. Nonsense.
ReplyDeleteWhy UN no want this YEYE NAIJA to DIVIDE SELF? Make them SPLIT Us like FORMER SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC ( U.S.S.R )- into 6 COUNTRIES. Since ours no fit REACH 9.
ReplyDeleteMe don tire to be known as a NIGERIAN JOOO!
EL-MATOSKY.
Now we need a yoruba from the southwest to educate an Ibo from the east that MASSOB is not a terror organisation but a movement. That is what you get when you loose your identity. Who even gave you Ada as name. It would have been better you bear name like janet, gloria, monica etc so that we may know that you are completely lost.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of wahala is this that MEND want to add to our problems with bokoharam. Permit me to write a letter to God :- Dear God please do d miracles u did to rescue d Istraelites from bondage in Egypt for my country - Nigeria and Nigerians. You are the same God who empowered Elisha when he fought and destroyed the baal prophets. Do the same in my country. You also raised up a Daniel in the case of Susannah and the two corrupt judges, please raise up credible men and women within and outside Nigeria to save us. Please do not delay to put a spirit of discord among bokoharams, Mend and sponsors and all secret enemies of this country as you promised in Deut 28:7. Long live Nigeria.
ReplyDelete