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.

Nigeria:12 missing policemen-More news emerging

News has emerged that 12 Nigerian policemen which are missing or presumed dead following an ambush on their boat in the Niger Delta region.

Gunmen attacked a police boat in the delta's creeks on Friday, officials said, in what appeared to be a dispute over amnesty payments.

A boat carrying some 50 police officers was on its way to a funeral when it developed engine trouble in one of the creeks."The officers became soft target for some hoodlums, who we have confirmed were part of a militant group that was supposed to be enjoying an amnesty," police commissioner Kingsley Omire said.All but the 12 officers reported missing were now safe, he added.Thousands of former militants are supposed to be receiving a monthly salary as part of the amnesty agreement

Mend threatened to resume violence after its leader, Henry Okah, was recently jailed by a South African court for terrorism.The group had been fighting to gain a greater share of the oil wealth from its part of southern Nigeria.

On the other hand, thousands of former militants are supposed to be receiving a monthly salary as part of the amnesty agreement.However, whilst some former commanders have grown extremely rich out of the deal, some of the junior militants have not received what they are owed.

I just hope the Government is culling one or two lessons from these occurrences in their Boko Haram decisions.

Nigeria: Okah Jailed for 24 years

Nigerian terrorist Henry Okah was jailed for 24 years by the High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday."Effectively, the accused [Okah] is therefore sentenced to 24 years imprisonment," Judge Neels Claassen said, handing down sentence.

On January 21, Okah was found guilty on 13 counts of terrorism, including engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activities, and delivering, placing, and detonating an explosive device.The charges related to two car bombs in Abuja, Nigeria, in which 12 people were killed and 36 injured on October 1, 2010, the anniversary of the country's independence.

The second bombing took place in Warri on March 15, 2010 at a post amnesty dialogue meeting. One person was killed and 11 seriously injured.In both bombings, two car bombs went off minutes apart in both places. The cars were parked in close proximity to each other.

Claassen sentenced Okah to 12 years imprisonment for each of the bombings and 13 years for the threats made to the South African government after his arrest in October 2010.The 13 years would run concurrently with the 24 years.In January, during judgment Claassen said the State had proved Okah's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and his failure to testify meant the evidence against him remained uncontested.Okah has denied any involvement, claiming the charges against him were politically motivated.