THE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said, on Tuesday, that only two bombs were detonated during Monday’s explosions that rocked the Government House Annexe, Warri.

The clarification came just as security operatives have been put on red alert in strategic locations within Warri and environs, as well as the riverine areas of Delta State.

MEND, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said though three bombs were successfully planted, only two were detonated to avoid human casualties.

“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) salutes all its operatives who, at great risk, successfully planted and detonated two car bombs at the venue of the Vanguard Post-Amnesty conference in Warri, Delta State.

“Three such bombs of varying strength were planted at this venue. It was unnecessary to detonate the third and most powerful bomb, as our operatives noticed the participants at this jamboree fled towards the direction of the last bomb,” it stated.

The group noted that any attempt to detonate the third bomb would have resulted in loss of life, adding that “this bomb is being preserved for future use.”

It stated that those who participated in the operation had safely returned to their respective bases.

Nigerian Tribune observed that heavily armed military personnel and anti-terrorist squad of the Nigeria Police have been deployed in Warri and its environs.

They were specifically assigned to keep vigil on the Osubi Airport, which was said to be one of the main targets of the militants as well as oil installations and other federal assets in the state.

Already, military checkpoints had been set up on major streets and in marketplaces where the militants had penciled in for another round of attack.

Nigerian Tribune observed that the debris of the bomb blast within the premises of the Government House had been cleared, even as workers were relunctant to go to their various offices.

‘More crises imminent’
The relative peace in the Niger Delta may soon give way to further hostilities unless urgent steps are taken by the Federal Government to keep in check the bottled anger of leaders of repentant militants.

Indications to this effect became rife, on Tuesday, as erstwhile leader of MEND, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and other ex-commanders kept sealed lips over the incident of Monday at the venue of the post-amnesty dialogue in Warri.

Efforts by our correspondent to get the reaction of Tompolo and others over the incident were unsuccessful, as none of them was ready to speak, even as some switched off their mobile lines.

But an ex-militant who later called back claimed he was speaking on behalf of the leaders of the ex-militants, just as he advised the Nigerian Tribune to “stop disturbing the leaders” over the Warri blast.

He called with an anonymous number at exactly 1.56 p.m on Tuesday and the following discussion ensued:. 

Caller: Hello, you have been calling and sending text messages to our leaders over the bomb blast in Warri; hope no problem?

Tribune: None at all, except that we would be glad to know the implications of this on the post-amnesty, especially as it happened in Warri, which we all regarded as the hub of militant activities.

Caller: Thank you for that word ‘regarded.’ Warri is no longer like that now; all I can tell you is that our leaders are deeply touched that the blast occurred, when we had guests from all over the world in our midst to find a solution to what is happening in the region.  The leaders are also touched that human lives were lost; it is unfortunate that people died and people were injured. We pray for those who lost their lives like others in the struggle. The leaders will not say anything more than that on the issue; no more, no less sir. thanks.

Tribune: But are the leaders, as you call them, not disturbed that this is happening, even when they have accepted amnesty?

Caller: Mind you, they were just the symbol of a struggle like others before them. They were not the struggle; even if they die today, the struggle will continue until the Niger Delta man breathes freedom. Fine, they have accepted amnesty. Fine, we all like it, but what are government's plans for these people who have made sacrifices to ensure the success of the amnsety programme? Does government have any post-amnesty plan for them?

Does government want them to walk the streets of cities just because they have accepted amnesty? Have you forgotten that even with the acceptance of amnesty by Tompolo,Farah Dagogo, Boyloaf, Ateke Tom, John Togo, Shoot At Sight and others, MEND said it would carry on? It has done that without all these men on board; that means there is still an unfinished business in the sense that the remaining men in the trenches have seen the sorry state of the amnesty as it affects those of our leaders who accepted it.

They are worse for it now than when they were in the creeks; the foot soldiers have been taken away from them and are ready to be shipped abroad, possibly to return and fight them? These are the fears of those remaining in the creeks and, unfortunately, the likes of Tompolo, Ateke, Boyloaf, Farah, Shoot At Sight, John Togo, and the rest no longer have accesss to them. They no longer can control them. It is a long and sorry story but a very dangerous one because those in the creeks are watching the sorry state of their former colleagues and leaders and they are not ready to join them on the streets without any plan by governemnt for their future. We are now into a more dangerous zone of the struggle.

Meanwhile, the acting president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has given all agencies of government saddled with the implementation of the amnesty to fast track the exercise.

The order was given after the acting president met with the federal body of the amnesty implementation programme at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Speaking with State House reporters after a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Amnesty Implementation, Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President, Ima Niboro, said, “today, the acting president has given a marching order to all agencies and bodies involved in the amnesty process to immediately go to work and ensure that whatever challenges that are holding up in these areas be surmounted immediately so that the process can move ahead flawlessly.”

Jonathan also appealed that all stakeholders be brought on board  so that everyone could be on the same page as far as the issue of amnesty was concerned.

Jonathan also met with members of the Presidential Coordinating Committee on the Niger Delta with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Uffot Ekaette, expressing sadness at the bombing at the Government House, Warri.

The minister told journalists after the meeting held at the conference room of the acting president’s office that he was at a loss as to why “a meeting that was convened by one of their members to dialogue on sustainable development of the Niger Delta had to end up that way.”

Meanwhile, disturbed  by inciting text messages intended to disrupt peace and order in Kaduna and environs, following the Jos crisis, the Kaduna State government, on Tuesday, said it had placed its security agencies on red alert and warned residents in the state to desist from fomenting trouble and spreading rumours.

The state Commissioner for Information and Home Affairs, Alhaji  Saidu Adamu, said the attention of the government had been drawn to text messages being sent to people on an impending crisis in the state.

In a  statement entitled Shun rumour mongering, Alhaji Adamu said “the government wishes to call on the general public to ignore such rumours and go about their normal business without fear of being harassed.”

Comments (0)

Show/hide comments

Show/hide comment form

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment