Daily Independent (Lagos)
7 July 2009
Militants on Monday claimed to have blown up Chevron's manifold in Okan, which accounts for 80 per cent of its offshore operations in the Deep South.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) claimed responsibility for the attack, the second in as many days, "in retaliation" for the "abduction of a traditional ruler" and for Abuja's "lack of sincerity" in releasing its leader, Henry Okah.
MEND Spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said in a statement that "as long as the government and the JTF (Joint Task Force) choose to carry out kidnappings and arson against innocent communities and individuals, Moses will fight for them."
He demanded that the traditional ruler "being held illegally by the JTF" be released immediately or charged to court.
"The government should display the highest form of integrity and sincerity over the detention of Henry Okah at this period of his fading health.
"The MEND has the highest regards for its elders, including (Edwin) Clark, but the struggle is now a regional one where every tribe in the region is a stakeholder."
Gbomo appealed to Clark not to take anything personal "because this is not about him," and "our fighting force has been boosted by volunteers made up of men and women from all tribes and beyond.
"It is very encouraging to see the people break away from the status quo and call on every Niger Deltan to make sacrifices as we head towards the Promised Land."
The MEND claimed to have also attacked another facility belonging to Shell, and disowned "the elders claiming to speak on our behalf at this time, and that includes Clark.
"At the appropriate time, we will put together a team of notable Nigerians drawn from every tribe in the Niger Delta and some others outside the region to represent the MEND."
It claimed to have attacked "Shell Well Head 20, located at Cawthorn Channel 1 (on Monday) at about 0300 hours, leaving total destruction in its wake. The facility connects to the Bonny loading terminal in Rivers State."
The MEND also disclosed that it has abducted six crew members from a chemical tanker, Siehem Peace, at about 20 nautical miles from Escravos in Delta State.
Gbomo said the kidnap is meant to warn others that there are root issues that need be resolved with the government before normalcy can resume, "such as the return of displaced civilians to their ancestral homes, compensation for damages, return of the ill trained JTF to their barracks, and last but not the least, Constitution amendment to address fiscal federalism.
"For disregarding our warning to oil, gas, and chemical tankers to keep away from the Niger Delta waters, six crew members from the chemical tanker, Siehem Peace were seized on Sunday and will be held until further notice."
Those kidnapped are the ship's Captain, Yuriy Shastim (Russian); Chief Engineer, Vasvi Bondarkov (Russia); second Engineer, Viktor Koshevoy (Russian); Cadet Banjit Singh Dhindsa (Indian); Arivando Galima (The Philippines); and Tavares Rouirgo (The Philippines).
The MEND warned that "the next tanker that is unfortunate to be intercepted will not be this lucky, as it will be set on fire after evacuating the crew."
Despite the latest setback, however, the government said on Monday that it is satisfied with the response of militants to the amnesty President Umaru Yar'Adua offered them on June 25.
Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, disclosed this to reporters at the Villa in Abuja after a meeting of the Council of State Committee on Police Funding, chaired by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.
"They are turning in their arms. Everyday we are getting more of these militants dropping their arms and embracing the amnesty by the government.
"Two weeks ago, I was in Port Harcourt and received arms from one of the notorious militants.
"Last Friday, I was in Warri; 53 of them surrendered their arms that day," Okiro said.
According to him, Abuja is aware that some powerful brokers in the Niger Delta are trying to convince the militants not to accept the amnesty, which would prevent the actualisation of the development schemes lined up by the government.
"The offer of amnesty is predicated on the willingness and readiness of the militants to give up all illegal arms in their possession and completely renounce militancy in all its ramifications unconditionally," Yar'Adua explained during the declaration.
The offer is open for 60 days.
However, an unconditional release of Okah and the dropping of treason charges against Mujahideen Dokubo-Asari are part of the conditions some militants have listed to accept the amnesty.
Niger Delta Non Violent Movement (NDNVM) President, Onengiya Erekosima, disclosed on June 23 that henchmen such as Ateke Tom and Soboma George also want their names expunged from criminal records which arose from Abuja's intransigence on the Niger Delta question.
He said they describe themselves as victims of the lust for power of the political class and its rabid ambition.
He quoted them as saying that the government should discontinue military bombardments and operations in the Niger Delta, as George, Boy Loaf, Fara Dagogo and others have all agreed to embrace peace - just that they cannot trust the federal authorities which in the past dealt with militants who accepted reconciliation.
Said Erekosima: "Their fear is hinged on the previous insincerity of the government towards peace. For instance, Soboma came out from his hiding to negotiate peace only to be arrested by the JTF in Buguma.
"Tom Polo canvassed for peace among so-called militants, he became a target for assassination and arrest. Dokubo embraced peace and was arrested, detained, and prosecuted.
"Tom accepted peace, but he was not encouraged; rather a military assault was launched on his base."
Nonetheless, America said on July 2 that it is "encouraged" by the amnesty initiative, even as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) warned the government to avoid "another jamboree" in granting it to militants, and to separate genuine agitators from criminals who have tainted the Niger Delta struggle.
By Harris-Okon Emmanuel (Warri) and Adeola Yusuf (Lagos)
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