Yenagoa — The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) yesterday condemned what it described as "massacre" of the Ijaw Community of Bayelsa State known as Agge by military men in search of armed youths involved in the massive attack on the military formation in Bomadi, Delta State, last weekend.

But the authorities of the Joint Military Task Force known as Operation Restore Hope, through the Commander of the 78th Battalion in Bayelsa, Lt.Col. Chris Musa, said the operation would not be aborted as they have so far recovered three speed boats and a double-barrel gun, during the house-to-house search by his men in Agge on Monday.

The MEND, in its reaction to what it described as the "wanton destruction of lives and property" in the impoverished Ijaw community, said such action is a replica of the Nazi rule and the Bosnian war.

MEND, in an online statement signed by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, lamented the high- handedness of the military on the defenceless civilian settlement, saying, "No- where in the world except during the Nazi regime and Bosnian war do soldiers destroy whole villages because of the sins of a few men."

The group said it was unfortunate that an already neglected community of impoverished fishermen would have their mud houses, fishing nets and canoes destroyed in the army's search for "criminals".

"The operation lacked tactics and professionalism, resembling that of drunken bulls on a rampage. Shots from heavy calibre machine guns were being fired as they were approaching the community, not considering the safety of innocent children, babies, elderly and women who ended up the victims of stray bullets without the invaders accomplishing its intended mission.

"None of the victims received any form of emergency medical service for the trauma, and many simply bled to death," it stated, adding, "While MEND will not support criminality, we will advise the JTF to investigate and plan properly before going for an arrest. By simply watching Dallas SWAT on television, they can learn a lot that raids are narrowed to one house and not the entire neighbourhood."

But Lt. Col. Musa said the ongoing operation in which his men are on the trail of those responsible for the weekend attack on the JTF formation in Bomadi would continue.

But the military commander was silent on the allegation raised by the MEND and the community.

Meanwhile, the people of Bilabiri and Letugbene on the sea shore have started fleeing their homes over an alleged plan by the task force to invade their communities in search of the militants that attacked its base at Bomadi in neighbouring Delta State.

Meanwhile, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc yesterday reacted to an ultimatum given to it by the MEND ordering them to leave the the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) or face the wrath of the militants.

The company's Public Relations Adviser, Mr Clement Iloba, who spoke with Leadership in his office, said Julius Berger has not made up its mind to quit the FCT, but would make a statement on the development available to the media at the appropriate time.

MEND had issued a 24- hour ultimatum to the construction giant on Monday following Friday's early morning auto accident involving a Julius Berger truck and an 18- seater commuter bus in which many people lost their lives.

Asked if Julius Berger, which before now has been the biggest construction firm in the FCT and a favourite of the Federal Government, would comply with the ultimatum, Iloba said, "Well, we read about the ultimatum today and we have not taken a decision to leave the FCT. However, we shall reply to the ultimatum in a statement which we shall make available to all the media houses".

The mood at the headquarters of the company was sleepy as few people were seen moving about. A team of personnel were seen mopping the premises' floor while security officials were enforcing strict rules. Our reporter's bag was searched before he could be allowed into the premises .

MEND spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, in an online statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Yenagoa had wondered why the company still remained in Abuja after one of its trucks was burnt down by irate people.

"If Julius Berger could decide to pull out of the Niger Delta region because of the alleged disturbances by the youths, one expected that such decision should be taken with the recent happening in Abuja ," he said.

Meanwhile, police authorities said yesterday that no ransom demand has been made for the two French men abducted by gunmen in Rivers State.

"No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction and no demand for ransom has been made," police spokeswoman Rita Abbey said, adding that a police investigation into the incident is still in progress.