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.

MEND claims responsibility for felling the 12 policemen in the Niger Delta

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta on Sunday claimed that its fighters killed the 12 policemen whose boat was ambushed in Azuzama, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, on Saturday and that the deaths were to teach the security forces a lesson for scorning its warning.

The militant group had last week announced that it would resume attacks in the oil rich Niger Delta by Friday to avenge alleged collaboration between the Federal Government and South Africa to jail its former leader, Henry Okah. Security agencies had dismissed the threat and said they were ready for MEND which tagged its promised resurgence of attacks, ‘Hurricane Exodus.’

It said it intercepted and engaged government forces in a fierce gun battle and killed the security agents in the process.

MEND, in an online statement on Sunday, also disclosed that two of its fighters died in the exchange of fire with security agents. The crossfire lasted for 40 minutes.

I just like the fact that everybody knows "amnesty programme" was hugely unsuccessful and there is no use towing that line again.