The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has claimed responsibility for the attack on the patrol boat of the Joint Task Force on the Nembe-Bassanbiri waterways in Southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State.
The attack, which was confirmed by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Bayelsa State Police Command, left a woman dead and a soldier injured.
The spokesman of MEND, Jomo Gbomo, said that his group attacked the boat.
Gbomo said the attack is the first in a series aimed at grounding the country’s oil production.
The statement said: “MEND confirms that the attack on a Joint Task Force patrol boat on Saturday January 25, 2014, in the Nembe-Bassanbiri waterways, Bayelsa State was carried out by our fighters.
“This relatively insignificant attack is a reminder of our presence in the creeks of the Niger Delta and a sign of things to come. Contrary to speculations, they were not “sea pirates”, but a new group of MEND ‘Trainee fighters’.
“Our silence thus far, has been strategic and at the right time, we will reduce Nigerian oil production to zero by 2015 and drive off our land, all thieving oil companies.
“In this new phase of our struggle for justice, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta will pay considerable attention to dealing with the occupying Nigerian government forces in the Niger Delta that stand in our way.”
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