We may attack Trans Saharan gas pipeline - Militants

Bolaji Ogundele, Port Harcourt - 05.07.2009

A Tompolo-led group of militant says it could only permit an armistice to observe federal government’s approach towards solving the Niger Delta issue even as it warns of an attack on the multi-billion dollar Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which made this known in a statement circulated Saturday also alleged of a military attack on the already deserted Abiteye community in Delta State.

But Joint Task Force (JTF), in a swift reaction to MEND’s allegations of the Abiteye attack, as well as that of the arrest of the traditional ruler of Egbema kingdom, urged the general public to ignore the militants’ claims, describing them as lies meant to misinform.

MEND, in the statement sent out by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, denied an earlier press report that he was its on-the-run while commander Tompolo requested for government’s amnesty through Ijaw elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clarke.

The group said that its leader was more disposed to holding on to its arms, but would allow a period of ceasefire to observe the direction of federal government’s programme towards meeting the region’s questions.

“Tompolo has requested that we refute the story carried in the Vanguard newspaper which claimed he was requesting for the amnesty being proposed by the government to criminals through Chief E. K. Clark.

“Professor J.P. Clarke’s suggestion on armistice as against amnesty for freedom fighters is what MEND and Tompolo are favorably disposed to for adoption as the next step to take towards resolving the crisis.

“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) hereby warns the investors to the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project that unless the Niger Delta root issues are addressed and resolved, any money put into the project will go down the drain as we will ensure that it faces the same fate other pipelines are facing today.

“We want to use this opportunity to warn the remaining companies still operating in the region, namely Agip, Total, Shell and Exxon Mobil to leave while there is still time because within the next 72 Hours, Hurricane Piper Alpha will be upgraded to Hurricane Moses,” MEND said.