Leadership (Abuja)
Ese Awhotu
16 May 2008
One of the major militant groups in the Niger Delta, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta {MEND} which has claimed responsibility for the series of attacks on Royal Dutch Shell facilities in the Niger Delta yesterday denied any involvement in the hijack Tuesday night of a supply vessel operated by the American oil giant Chevron.
MEND in a statement e-mailed to journalists Wednesday night said it new all those behind the kidnap of nine Nigerians and two expatriate oil workers in the Chevron vessel, however the militant group vowed not to assist in the release of the 11 persons aboard the vessel, who were taken hostage.
The militant group headed by detained Henry Okah stated emphatically that it is not responsible for the attack on the Chevron supply vessel but are aware of those behind the attack and do not support their motive.
MEND said they could never see themselves working on the side of the government in aiding the release of the hostages.
A yet to be identified persons had on Tuesday night kidnapped a ship with 11 persons including two expatriates and nine Nigerians on board, the Chevron supply ship was hijacked as it sailed from Onne Port in Rivers State to Escravos in Delta State.
Chevron sources yesterday hinted that the hijackers have demanded a ransom of 30 million Naira (about US$257,000).
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