Daily Independent (Lagos)
Ofonime Umanah
11 July 2009
Port Harcourt — Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), on Friday night continued to unleash destruction despite the imminent release of its leader, Henry Okah from detention.
The militant organisation struck and destroyed Chevron's facility, which had just been repaired after they had attacked it a few weeks back.
The attack appears to be a confirmation of the threat by MEND that even with the plans to free their leader, the Hurricane Moses would continue. They had told our correspondent in an online interview on the same day that they would not suspend their war against oil firms even if Okah were freed.
The militants' spokesman, Jomo Gbomo had said in a reply to our enquiries on Friday that Okah had to accept the amnesty deal because he needed to go for an overseas medical attention.
In fact, he even said they were not in a hurry to re-unite with him as he was desirous of getting medical attention and re-uniting with his family.
When asked if the attacks would end with the release of their leader, the answer was "not necessarily so. Remember Hurricane Moses makes room for dialogue and attacks at the same time. Its unique characteristics make it blow hot and cold at the same time."
It was not up to three hours after they replied our mail that they alerted of their attack on the Chevron facility. Their reason was that the government was more interested in the oil platforms than on how to resettle those that were displaced in Delta State.
The statement said: "At about 20.00 hrs today, Friday, July 10, 2009, our fighters revisited the recently repaired Chevron pipeline linking Alero Creek through Abiteye to the Chevron export terminal in Delta State and destroyed it again.
"We have been monitoring the repair works, which involved security of over 200 soldiers and waited patiently until the repair was completed. This will be our mode of operation on any pipeline or facility that is repaired.
"The soldiers left to guard the area cooperated with us and no shots were fired. We see the soldiers posted to the region as victims and will avoid a confrontation except it is absolutely necessary."
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