The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta on Wednesday said it was going to begin sustained attack on the Nigerian state to show its displeasure over the imprisonment of its leader, Henry Okah, by a South African court.
MEND said its attack, as had been in the past, would be focussed on oil installations until Nigeria shows remorse.
In a statement by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, MEND said: “With effect from 00:00Hrs, Friday 05, April 2013, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta will commence with a plague of sustained attacks codenamed ‘Hurricane Exodus.’
“‘Hurricane Exodus’ is a direct repercussion of a forged threat letter contrived by the Nigerian and South African governments purporting to have originated from MEND. This fake letter was used as evidence against Henry Okah for which a thirteen (13) years sentence was passed.
“After failing to catch the prosecutor’s eye who wanted him to lie under oath, we are now determined to conjure this imaginary trumped-up threat into a painful reality.
“The attacks will be sustained until an unreserved apology is offered to MEND and the Nigerian government shows their willingness to dialogue, the same way they are willing to dialogue with Boko Haram.”
However, the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta has called for caution.
The JTF said it was aware of the statement.
It said: “What Niger Deltans are in a dire need of now is peace for sustainable development, having emerged from the dark days of turbulence in the region. Informed by this development, we have effected some redeployment to tackle any upheaval.
“This set of people is advised to tow the path of law and order in addressing whatever grievance they have and to desist from any action that will upset the peace and development of the Niger Delta.
“The good and peace loving people of the Niger Delta are enjoined to dissociate themselves, their communities and leadership from this unwholesome approach as portrayed by this group.”
Okah was jailed for 24 years for his alleged role in the October 1, 2010 independence day bombing in Abuja.
