Nigeria:MEND threatens to attack Islamic Institutions and others

The Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta,MEND has threatened to launch reprisal attacks against Islamic institutions from Friday 31 May 2013.

The group in an e-mail message said it has decided to embark on these attacks to save Christianity in Nigeria from annihilation by Boko Haram.

In the statement signed by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, the group said “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 code named “Operation Barbarossa”.

The group further vowed that “ The 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 community, Nembe, Bayelsa State, leaving the destruction of well 62, belonging to Shell Petroleum in its wake”.

The group said that it may may only consider a ceasefire of “Operation Barbarossa” if the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Catholic Church and if the MEND leader, Henry Okah, who is serving 21 years jail term described by the group as one of the few leaders in the Niger Delta region it respects for his integrity, intervene.

This was my fear all along. I hope something is done to avert the chaos that is brewing.

Bayelsa killing: Police pay killers N1m to rescue the only surviving victim

Fresh facts emerged on Thursday that Mr. Lucky Ebebi, one of the 12 policemen who were reportedly killed after an ambush by gunmen in Azuzuama Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, is alive.

Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen freed Ebebi, 31, on Wednesday after collecting N1m ransom from the police.Ebebi, a police corporal, who had spent seven years in the service, was admitted at the Emergency Ward of the Federal Medical Centre where he was treated of minor gunshot injury.He was, however, discharged on Thursday morning and reported at the state police headquarters, Yenagoa, for debriefing. 

When our correspondent contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, he said he was in a meeting. He, however, promised to speak to our correspondent after the meeting

Culled from The Punch