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The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has given President Goodluck Jonathan “some weeks” grace to kick-start talks on resource control and other issues affecting the Niger Delta to avoid a fresh wave of attacks on oil installations in the region.

MEND, in an email statement to the Agence France Presse on Saturday, said that Jonathan has only a little time to address their demands for resource control and the development of the oil-rich region.

“We should be looking at weeks for Jonathan to begin addressing an issue that has lingered for over 50 years,” MEND said, adding that “when he begins the process for resource control, then we will be sure he is serious.”

The group said since Jonathan “has very little time to address the demands of this region before the fighting erupts,” he needed to start doing something now.

The President, a Niger Deltan, was inaugurated on Thursday within hours of the death of his predecessor, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua.

Yar’Adua had last year granted amnesty to thousands of Niger Delta militants for laying down their weapons and started a rehabilitation programme for them.

But the promised jobs, education, cash and infrastructure development under the post-amnesty programme have failed to materialise quickly for the former militants.

MEND refused to take part in the amnesty programme , though some of its commanders did.

Angered at what it said was the slow implementation of the plan, it called off a three-month truce in January but has now vowed to unleash a new wave of attacks on oil installations of the kind that last year slashed crude output by more than a third.

”Only time will tell if Jonathan is a blessing or a curse to the region... Jonathan has to prove himself with the actions and decisions he will be making in the coming days and weeks and that will help us determine if he is the Messiah or not,” MEND said in the email statement.

MEND leader, Mr. Henry Okah, had last week said that Yar‘Adua‘s death could hamper a peaceful resolution of the Niger Delta crisis.

Yar‘Adua had a ”good understanding of the problems of the region and was determined to address the injustice in the region. His death has dealt a huge blow on a possible peaceful resolution of the situation in the Niger Delta,” he said.

But the Coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group, Mr. Joseph Evah, cautioned against expecting too much from Jonathan‘s presidency.


“His coming to power does not translate to peace in the Niger Delta. If injustice persists, there will still not be peace. One year is not enough for him to turn Nigeria into the envy of Dubai, Ghana or South Africa,” he said.

”He is our kinsman and we are prepared to give him a chance to do what is right in Niger Delta but our patience is not elastic. Without tackling the problems of resource distribution, environmental degradation, equal opportunities and jobs, ”peace will be elusive in the region,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta on Sunday deployed troops in Effurun, the headquarters of Uvwie Local Government Area as security situation worsened in the town.

It was gathered that their arrival was at the instance of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area, Mr. Mohammed Muazu.

The stern-looking troops were seen by one of our correspondents at strategic locations in the city , especially the areas prone to hostilities and along major roads.

It was gathered that the fragile peace in the area collapsed on Saturday night when some armed youths seized the town, especially at Ijakpa Junction and Alaka area, and engaged in a shoot out.

A youth said to be a member of one of sides in the endless crisis in the community was shot on Saturday night.

Security sources said the latest mayhem might have been orchestrated by some youths, who were declared wanted in connection with the crisis in the area.

The arrival of the troops and shootings by the rampaging youths forced residents and visitors to scamper for safety.

The security agents frisked motorists and pedestrians along the various routes in the area, ostensibly to fish out criminals and check movement of prohibited arms.

The Chairman of the council, Mr. Peter Abugewa, said some wanted hoodlums were behind the latest crisis in the area, adding that they were being sponsored by a politician.

Abugewa, however, said sanity had returned to the area due to the intervention of the troops.

When contacted, the Delta State Sector Commander of the JTF, Col. Jamil Sarham, said the troops were deployed to compliment the efforts of the police to restore law and order to the town

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has accused the Joint Task Force of endangering the prevailing ceasefire in the region.

The group in a statement yesterday claimed that “the Nigerian military Joint Task Force (JTF) yesterday, November 17, 2009 at 0600 hrs invaded the Kula community in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, ostensibly to search for hidden weapons.” According to the statement signed by the group’s spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, it said what the JTF men “specifically targeted, was the home of a former Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) commander, Christian Don Pedro which was extensively destroyed.” MEND claimed that the JTF assault on the Kula community was unsuccessful as it “yielded nothing.”


Breach of peace

This alleged attack is coming in the midst of negotiations towards a comprehensive resolution of the unrest in the region as the group’s leader, Henry Okah and the Aaron team (a group appointed by MEND to hold negotiations with the Federal Government on its behalf) met President Umaru Yar’Adua at a closed doors meeting on Saturday in Abuja.

According to the statement: “MEND considers such harassment and intimidation of ex-fighters and innocent communities an act of bad faith and a breach of the trust these ex-fighters placed in the Nigerian government with their voluntary surrender.” The group urged the government to investigate this infringement and call to order its “trigger-happy minister for defence.” Threatening a resumption of hostilities if such assault occurs again, MEND concluded that it “will not tolerate the continued harassment of communities by the Nigerian military and will take appropriate retaliatory actions the next time any community within the Niger Delta is attacked by the Nigerian military.” The group had declared an indefinite ceasefire on October 25, following the Federal Government’s expression of readiness to engage in serious negotiations with every group or individual in the Niger Delta towards achieving a lasting peace. This was preceded by the proclamation of amnesty for all the militants by the president and the release of the detained MEND leader, Henry Okah.

Just a search operation

However, the JTF Commander, Sarkin Bello, speaking to NEXT from his new base in Bayelsa denied the allegation of renewed attacks. “What happened was that, in the early hours of the morning, around 3 and 4 am there was a lot of shooting in the area and there are troops on ground in the area. I directed my men to go to the community and search for what led to the shooting. And that was all they did.” He added, “They conducted searches and nobody was attacked, arrested, injured or killed.” General Bello expressing a great deal of attachment to the Kula community that was allegedly attacked stated that “Kula is a place that I know very well. In November 2007, Kula and Adiffe communities, (a neighbouring community) were fighting each other in communal clashes and we (JTF) interjected to save lives.

“Communal clashes are one of the most common things here in the Niger-Delta where communities go against one other and people kill one other. So as the sporadic shooting occurred again, this morning we had to intervene because that is what we are here for. JTF is here and we have a responsibility to curtail such occurrences and ensure the safety of lives and properties of people,” he added.

“What we are doing is for the good of the people and we are still getting to root of the shooting,” he responded when questioned about the success of the ‘search’ operation.” In a very high tone voice, General Bello exclaimed that nobody was killed or attacked in the operation early this morning.” This reported shooting is coming after the president declared unconditional amnesty for the Niger-Delta militants in August 2009.

The amnesty has been embraced by most of the militant groups, including a number of MEND’s leaders. About 17,000 of the militants turned in their arms and ammunition to the Nigerian Army and are currently undergoing rehabilitation in camps across the region

THE leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in the Western Delta, Chief Government Ekpomupolo (a.k.a Tompolo), on Monday, broke his silence on the amnesty granted militants in the Niger Delta by the Federal Government, describing it as "a good but mismanaged venture."
The militant leader, who was declared wanted by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the wake of the confrontation with the militants in the Gbaramatu area of Delta State, said the success or otherwise of the amnesty deal would depend on the seriousness of the government about issues of development.
Discussing these issues before the submission of arms, in his view, remained the only recipe for peace in the region.
One of the personalities involved with the amnesty implementation process, while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune on condition of anonymity, confirmed meeting Tompolo in the creeks but declined to name the location on the telephone.
"As good as the amnesty deal appears, it is a mismanaged venture, because some politicians have already misdirected President Umaru Yar'adua on the matter; but for that, we are also interested in the deal," Tompolo said.
Also, MEND on Monday, frowned at the manner in which one of its commanders, General Boyloaf, was taken to Abuja. It warned that the militant leader, who had since been replaced, was not discussing on behalf of MEND, but doing the bidding of the Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva, whom the militants accused of usurping the roles of the presidential committee on amnesty as well as those of the presidential adviser on the Niger-Delta.
Meanwhile, some militants in the Niger Delta have called for the disbandment of the JTF for the amnesty programme to succeed. Ateke Tom, leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Movememt (NDVM), alleged on Monday that JTF troops attacked a militant, who had paid a visit to him at his camp.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta(MEND) said the fighters attacked the atlas cove jetty in lagos after an encouter with the navy in the lagos waters.MEND will be observing a temporary cease fire for a 60 day period.Several factors necessitated the decision,chiefly the release of Mr Henry Okah from government custody.MEND considers this release as a step towards genuine peace and prosperity if nigeria is open to frank talks.some of the comments about MEND are in the full post.......
MEND must not stop until they cripple nigeria economic mainstay.
MEND should for modesty direct their attacks to the looting politicians.
MEND what is the fight for?
As far as i am concerned,we need more MEND.
Nigeria,MEND,niger delta and federalism,the way ahead.
MEND kudos!this is the only language nigerian leaders understand.
They are not acting in the interest of the country MEND carry go.
The politicians need MEND to mend them.
Well done MEND,we are praying for God to give you wisdom.