NIGERIA
may have started moving dangerously into a theatre of war following resolve by
the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) to start avenging the
killing of Christians in Northern Nigeria by members of the Islamic group, Boko
Haram.
may have started moving dangerously into a theatre of war following resolve by
the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) to start avenging the
killing of Christians in Northern Nigeria by members of the Islamic group, Boko
Haram.
MEND said it was prepared to launch a
crusade in this regard code named “Operation Barbarosa which it said would
involve the bombings of mosques, hajj camps, Islamic institutions, large
congregations of islamic events and assassination of clerics who have been propagating
the doctrines of hate in Nigeria.
crusade in this regard code named “Operation Barbarosa which it said would
involve the bombings of mosques, hajj camps, Islamic institutions, large
congregations of islamic events and assassination of clerics who have been propagating
the doctrines of hate in Nigeria.
Boko Haram for the past one year has been
terrorising the Northern and Middle Belt areas of Nigeria on what members
termed a jihad to Islamise the entire north, while targeting christians and
churches, mainly in a series of attacks.
terrorising the Northern and Middle Belt areas of Nigeria on what members
termed a jihad to Islamise the entire north, while targeting christians and
churches, mainly in a series of attacks.
In a strongly worded press statement signed
by Jomo Gbomo, MEND said it would launch an offensive on Islamic installations
in Nigeria until the genuine Boko Haram leaders resolve to stop the attacks on
Christians in the country.
by Jomo Gbomo, MEND said it would launch an offensive on Islamic installations
in Nigeria until the genuine Boko Haram leaders resolve to stop the attacks on
Christians in the country.
MEND also said that it would not stop the
deadly crusade until its leader, Henry Okah currently serving jail term in
South Africa and leading Christian leaders in Nigeria ask it to stop.
deadly crusade until its leader, Henry Okah currently serving jail term in
South Africa and leading Christian leaders in Nigeria ask it to stop.
The statement reads, “On behalf of the
hapless Christian population in Nigeria, the Movement for the Emancipation of
the Niger Delta (MEND), will from Friday, May 31, 2013, embark on a crusade to
save Christianity in Nigeria from annihilation.
hapless Christian population in Nigeria, the Movement for the Emancipation of
the Niger Delta (MEND), will from Friday, May 31, 2013, embark on a crusade to
save Christianity in Nigeria from annihilation.
“The bombings of mosques, Hajj camps,
Islamic institutions, large congregations in islamic events and assassinations
of clerics that propagate doctrines of hate, will form the core mission of this
crusade codenamed “Operation Barbarossa”.
Islamic institutions, large congregations in islamic events and assassinations
of clerics that propagate doctrines of hate, will form the core mission of this
crusade codenamed “Operation Barbarossa”.
“This campaign will not in any way
interfere with the ongoing “Hurricane Exodus” – which on Saturday, April 13,
2013, at about 01:00 Hrs, swept through the Ewellesuo comminity, Nembe, Bayelsa
State, leaving the destruction of well 62, belonging to Shell Petroleum in its
wake.
interfere with the ongoing “Hurricane Exodus” – which on Saturday, April 13,
2013, at about 01:00 Hrs, swept through the Ewellesuo comminity, Nembe, Bayelsa
State, leaving the destruction of well 62, belonging to Shell Petroleum in its
wake.
“We may only consider a ceasefire of
“Operation Barbarossa” if the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the
Catholic Church and Henry Okah, one of the few leaders in the Niger Delta
region we respect for his integrity, intervenes.
“Operation Barbarossa” if the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the
Catholic Church and Henry Okah, one of the few leaders in the Niger Delta
region we respect for his integrity, intervenes.
“Also the assurance for a cessation of
hostilities targeted at Christians in their places of worship, made privately
or publicly by the real Boko Haram leadership will make us call off this
crusade.
hostilities targeted at Christians in their places of worship, made privately
or publicly by the real Boko Haram leadership will make us call off this
crusade.
“We
have no problems with their attacks on security agencies including the prisons,
for their role in extra judicial killings, torture, deceit and corruption.”
have no problems with their attacks on security agencies including the prisons,
for their role in extra judicial killings, torture, deceit and corruption.”
Police reassure public of
adequate security
The Police high Command on Sunday reassured the members of the Public adequate
security for lives and property nationwide following the threat by the MEND to
start attacking mosques and other Islamic installations in the Country.
Reacting to the threat of the militia group
last night in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba declared
the Police were studying the situation and were battle ready to counter any
such attempt in any part of the country.
last night in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba declared
the Police were studying the situation and were battle ready to counter any
such attempt in any part of the country.
According
to Mr Mba”we are studying the threat and monitoring relevant security indices
very closely.But Nigerians should be reassured that the Nigeria Police is
working in partnership with other agencies and will do everything legally
permissible to protect Nigeria, its infrastructure and common wealth.”
to Mr Mba”we are studying the threat and monitoring relevant security indices
very closely.But Nigerians should be reassured that the Nigeria Police is
working in partnership with other agencies and will do everything legally
permissible to protect Nigeria, its infrastructure and common wealth.”
MEND no longer exists —JTF
The Joint Task Force (JTF) has urged the people in the Niger Delta and indeed
all Nigerians not to panic over the threat by the Movement for Emancipation of
Niger Delta (MEND) as the group no longer exists.
JTF in a statement issued by its spokesman
and media coordinator, Lt Col Onyema Nwachukwu, said those attempting to
christen themselves as MEND are impostors.
and media coordinator, Lt Col Onyema Nwachukwu, said those attempting to
christen themselves as MEND are impostors.
The statement reads: “First, it must
be made clear that the authentic MEND as we all know went into extinction since
the emergence of the Niger Delta and the freedom fighters from the dark days of
turbulence in the region and quite a good number of them are partnering with
their various states and communities for development.
be made clear that the authentic MEND as we all know went into extinction since
the emergence of the Niger Delta and the freedom fighters from the dark days of
turbulence in the region and quite a good number of them are partnering with
their various states and communities for development.
“Those attempting to christen themselves
MEND today are impostors and a bundle of “never do wells” who want to be
accorded undue recognition at the ex pence of the peace currently savoured in
the Niger Delta. The lack of focus and genuineness of intention of this gang
seeking to hide under the name of MEND is apparent in its statements.
MEND today are impostors and a bundle of “never do wells” who want to be
accorded undue recognition at the ex pence of the peace currently savoured in
the Niger Delta. The lack of focus and genuineness of intention of this gang
seeking to hide under the name of MEND is apparent in its statements.
“As it continues to contradict itself, you
recall that it had earlier claimed to be acting under the directives of Henry
Okah and now it refers to the same person as just one of the respected leaders
of the Niger Delta.
recall that it had earlier claimed to be acting under the directives of Henry
Okah and now it refers to the same person as just one of the respected leaders
of the Niger Delta.
Now they are seeking sympathy and
acceptance of the public by claiming to want to avenge christians. Niger
Deltans should be not deceived by the tricks of the devil.
acceptance of the public by claiming to want to avenge christians. Niger
Deltans should be not deceived by the tricks of the devil.
Lawlessness is never a solution. Obviously
their aim is to engender panic and a sense of insecurity in the region using
MEND’s name, but we assure them that their cup is full and will soon be caught
up with by the law.
their aim is to engender panic and a sense of insecurity in the region using
MEND’s name, but we assure them that their cup is full and will soon be caught
up with by the law.
“We urge all community leaders, opinion
leaders and all peace loving Niger Deltans not to panic but rather firmly
dissociate themselves from these criminals and to collaborate with the JTF and
other security agencies in ensuring that we rid our society of them.
leaders and all peace loving Niger Deltans not to panic but rather firmly
dissociate themselves from these criminals and to collaborate with the JTF and
other security agencies in ensuring that we rid our society of them.
“The claim by those criminals of blowing up
a well head is false as our troops on patrol along Nembe Creek 1 Flow Station
have earlier reported an incident of oil spill on water around Owelesu
Community in Nembe resulting from the activities of oil thieves and a joint
patrol team comprising of JTF troops and NN personnel was able to trace the
spillage.
a well head is false as our troops on patrol along Nembe Creek 1 Flow Station
have earlier reported an incident of oil spill on water around Owelesu
Community in Nembe resulting from the activities of oil thieves and a joint
patrol team comprising of JTF troops and NN personnel was able to trace the
spillage.
“The troops observed a fresh dug out
possibly for laying illegal pipeline and fresh foot prints which were traced to
a small camp. Items such as hacksaw for cutting pipeline, 3 shovels, food
items, cooking pots, sleeping mat, foot wears, bags of pure water and clothes
were found in the camp.
possibly for laying illegal pipeline and fresh foot prints which were traced to
a small camp. Items such as hacksaw for cutting pipeline, 3 shovels, food
items, cooking pots, sleeping mat, foot wears, bags of pure water and clothes
were found in the camp.
It was suspected that some miscreants were
trying to open up a new illegal loading point.
trying to open up a new illegal loading point.
The camp has been destroyed in situ and
patrols will be maintained. The oil well was shut down to avoid further spill
pending repairs.
patrols will be maintained. The oil well was shut down to avoid further spill
pending repairs.
Source; tribune
