Abuja/Port Harcourt/Lagos — From the Joint Task Force (JTF) came the disclosure on Monday that militants are being funded by wealthy Nigerians and foreigners with sights on crude oil, just as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) destroyed Chevron's Abiteye flow station in Delta State.

Tank farm trunk lines hit, according to MEND Spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, include those in Alero Creek, Otunana, Abiteye, Makaraba, and Dibi.

Chevron confirmed in a statement issued by its General Manager (Policy, Government and Public Affairs), Femi Odumabo, that it has shut in 100,000 barrels of oil per day as a result of the incident.

Gbomo said the MEND "borrowed a leaf from the Federal Government" by applying the same measure of treatment oil bearing communities suffered at the hands of troops by ensuring huge collateral damage.

"This will henceforth become our standard mode of operation. All our fighters returned safely to Camp Five annex.

"The (JTF) has been chasing shadows for the past two weeks and has not achieved any military success. We will continue our cat and mouse tactics with them until oil export ceases completely.

"The JTF did not free the remaining three hostages as being claimed. As promised, we dropped them off at the Oporoza jetty," Gbomo added.

The JTF issued its own statement to say that "even as (it) is struggling to restore peace and normalcy in the Niger Delta, Kingsley Opuye and his group of militants early this morning blew up Chevron's pipeline at Abiteye. This is an act of sabotage which should not be condoned.

"All those involved in this latest act must be hunted and trapped down, it is just a matter of time. However, these uncivilised acts by militants would not deter us from carrying out the duty of tackling criminalities in the region."

JTF Media Co-ordinator, Col. Rabe Abubakar, denied any agenda to hit Odi, and appealed to it's residents to go about their normal businesses, "as the JTF has no plans to attack anybody or group anywhere in the Niger Delta.

"What we are doing currently is an operation aimed at rescuing our missing colleagues in Chanomi Creeks of Delta State."

He said the waterways have been opened for both commercial and private legal activities, with the Naval component of the JTF "carrying out convoy escorts of ships to the high seas, and patrolling the waterways, to create a conducive atmosphere for socio-economic activities to thrive in Warri and the Niger Delta in general.

"Individuals and groups wishing to embark on any legal activities should do so without fear of any harassment.

"However, personal security should always be taken into consideration by reporting any suspicious and strange movements in the waterways to the JTF or any security agency for prompt action."

JTF Commander in Bayelsa, Lt. Col. Nkana Efik, also gave an assurance that there are no plans to attack Odi, and that the people there have nothing to fear if they do not harbour militants.

Governor Timipre Sylva's Security Adviser, Perekeme Kpodoh, equally urged fleeing indigenes of Odi to return home, saying the rumour of an attack is not true.

He asked them to report suspicious persons hibernating in the area to the security agencies.

JTF Commander, Lt. General S.Y. Bello, warned in an exclusive interview that a day of reckoning would come for the MEND and its sponsors.

He said wealthy Nigerians funding the militants would soon be apprehended, as investigation is on to unravel their identities, and reiterated the determination of the JTF to make life uncomfortable for militants countrywide, such as Tom Polo and others, until they surrender their arms and turn a new leaf.

Bello pledged that soldiers would defend themselves if attacked by the insurgents, but would protect law abiding citizens.

His words: "There is no iota of truth in (the reported killings on Saturday in Warri). This is what has been giving us concern, even before the May 13 attack on us, that young people would be wielding guns and are proud about that. It is the usual MEND propaganda. But hear this, there is no iota of truth in the publications."

He wondered why Gbomo could not come out in the open for people to see him if he is fighting a just cause.

"These are people who are out to cause mayhem. That is why they are hiding under pseudo names. They should be bold enough to come out if they are fighting for the emancipation of the Niger Delta. Their days are coming to an end."

"We are busy with the rescue of people kidnapped by the MEND people. People were kidnapped and others were tortured. We cannot fold our arms and watch them intimidate our people, foreigners and Nigerians alike."

When asked if foreigners could be funding the militants, Bello said: "We believe there are multiple sources, maybe through illegal bunkering. That could be their source of weapons.

"Investigations are still going on. Funding by foreigners is a possibility. Rich Nigerians with criminal minds are also suspects. Take for instance the seizure of an oil tanker that was hijacked along the way.

"Definitely, this was done by people who are trying to get more money and impoverish Nigerians. These are people who are used to this kind of money and they would not want it to stop.

"Investigations will expose these people. These rich and powerful people, if they are behind these boys, will definitely pay for what they have caused this country. From our level, we will also pass it to another stage.

"The war will not end until the boys surrender. But the fact is, nobody has monopoly of violence. If you think you have arms and can fight, I think the Federal Government has more."

Bello said it is painful that the likes of Tom Polo was allowed to co-habit with people as an outlaw, whereas "such people should not be allowed to have peace. The JTF has a mandate and a responsibility. We are in Rivers and Bayelsa.

"You know what brought about this war. We were attacked by the MEND. I don't think there is anything wrong with what our men are doing; if they attack us in any of the other states, we will fight back, otherwise it would appear as if we are living in a lawless society."

However, Tonye Princewill, Action Congress (AC) leader in Rivers State who resigned last week from the Vision 2020 Committee on the Niger Delta because of the conflict, said he has concluded "President Umaru Yar'Adua and people who advocate that communities in the Delta be bombed do not know any better.

"They see the criminality and they see us. They hear kidnapping and they think we approve of it. There are those that know better.

"They know the people of the Niger Delta are victims. Not just of the militants and the criminals but also of the JTF and the oil companies. But they choose to hide behind the story that suits them. The one that paints us black.

"Nigerians are now expected to take sides. Either you are with the criminals or you are with the enforcers of law. Well I believe we have other options. I prefer to be with the 99 per cent - the people. What about our mothers and sisters in the villages?

"What about the old men and children who have no idea what is going on and who see development as a foolish man's dream? Who is with them? These are the true people, the people of the Niger Delta. They have no voice, they have no guns, they have no education and they have no health.

"They watched in amazement when this same government and this same party worked with the youths to destabilise the electoral process not once, not twice, and then watched the youths grow into warlords.

"There is a benefit in war for some people. Think about it. What we need now is a voice of reason. Sadly our generation is looking up to the generation before us to provide it. In the Presidency, in the cabinet, in the National Assembly, in the Governors forum, in our state Assemblies, among our elder statesmen, in the press, wherever."

Meanwhile, Nigeria's dwindling oil revenue could be on the rise as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) anticipates further rise in the price of crude on the world market.

Saudi Oil Minister, Ali al-Naimi, sounded an optimistic note that the price will climb to $75 per barrel (pb) when demand picks up.

"We'll get there eventually," he told reporters in Rome where he will attend meetings with energy Ministers from the Group of Eight (G8) industrialised nations.

"The trick is keeping it between $70 and $80. It will be achieved as demand rises and the fundamentals are better than they are now."

Al-Naimi said he will recommend OPEC members "stay the course" at their meeting in Vienna on May 28, noting that oil should sell at about $75 pb "because that is what is desired for the world economy."

In Abuja on Monday, both House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom expressed support for the military action.

They urged the militants to lay down their arms to pave the way for negotiations.

But the former National Planning Minister, Sanusi Daggash, argued that implementation of the Niger Delta master plan is a key factor in ending the crisis.

Bankole insisted that the Federal Government has the responsibility to end the menace of militants, as "no government will sit back and allow a few miscreants to hold it to ransom."

Akpabio said he is in total support of the actions taken to quell militancy and advocated capital punishment for kidnappers.

"I want to support Mr. President in totality and I want to call on the militants in the creeks to rise up and cleanse themselves of criminals among them. Those who are for genuine agitation should rise up against criminals," he stated.

Also in Abuja on Monday, military top brass, led by Service Chiefs, held a close-door meeting with the Senate Defence Committee.

Those who showed up included Chief of Defence Staff, Paul Dike; Chief of Army Staff, Abduraham Dambazau; Chief of Naval Staff, Isaac Iko Ibrahim; and Chief of Air Force, Oluseyi Petirin.

Each Service Chief was said to have argued that the assault on the militants and the communities where they hide is inevitable, and would continue until normalcy returns.

But a source said they regretted the civilian casualty.