Niger Delta militants resume attacks on oil installations

President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration appears to be having its hands full contending with growing insecurity challenges in the country with the latest declaration of resumption of attacks on oil installations by the Niger Delta armed militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND).

The group, which came into existence in late 2005, launched its first known attack with the bombing of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) crude pipeline on 20 December, resulting in the shutting  in of a quarter of Nigeria’s 2.3million barrels per day oil production capacity.

In the wake of the declaration of the Federal Government’s amnesty programme in June 2009, MEND, which was the umbrella organization of all militant groups in the region, announced cessation of attacks and accepted government’s offer to rehabilitate, reform and reintegrate its members after its activities had reduced oil production to about 600,000 barrels per day.

But, the group said today it has resumed attacks on oil installations in the region with the blast of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) trunk line at Brass in Bayelsa State.

It warned of more attacks in future, signifying the effective end of the existing truce.

The return of MEND to the creeks means the Federal Government would be battling to contend both the Niger Delta militants and the dreaded Boko Haram has been behind series of bombings that have claimed hundreds of lives since last year.

MEND, in a statement by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, warned Nigerians to henceforth take its ‘warnings of impending bombings seriously’, saying such warnings would always precede a bombing, providing sufficient time for evacuation, to minimize casualty toll.

“On Saturday the 4th of February at 1930hrs, fighters of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) 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.

“We have constantly warned Nigerians about Goodluck Jonathan and his train of idiots running Nigeria. Events of the last few months have vindicated our position on the inability of this moron to lead Nigeria anywhere, but downwards.

“Rather than address serious issues facing the nation and its citizens, Goodluck Jonathan squanders public funds on tribalistic sycophants and thugs calling themselves ex-militants.

“Nigerians should disregard the idle threats and ranting of imaginary militant groups and other hired “Jonathan praise singers”. Besides empty talk, they are unable to help Jonathan in any way. In fact, most so called ex-militants are hiding in Abuja or Lagos, not venturing near their villages in the Niger Delta.

“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 $25 billion 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.

“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) understands the negative impact our assault on the Nigerian oil industry will have on the ordinary citizen in a country which relies almost entirely on one source of revenue.

“Unfortunately, the extremely irresponsible, floundering government of Nigeria is more concerned with enriching themselves and family members than attending to the problems of the Niger Delta and the continuously depreciating standard of living of the ordinary Nigerian.

“A government incapable of managing roads, refineries, power stations and other basic infrastructure is again squandering valuable public funds on a committee tasked with investigating the viability of nuclear energy for electricity generation.

“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? Nigerians must know that their ignoramus of a president is controlled by Obasanjo, Western nations, an imbecilic wife and an army of sorcerers.

“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 on the attack at Ogbobagbene in Burutu local government area of Delta State, on the compound of Godsday Orubebe, Minister for Niger Delta.

“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 South African government has already reacted to threats to its investment interests in Nigeria by the militants.