The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), a group of ex-militants, yesterday resolved to continue to respect the unilateral ceasefire of hostilities which it declared on May 30, 2014.
ABOVE: President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his resolve to deal with those involved in blowing up oil installations in the Niger Delta region.
Reacting to the rising waves of militant attacks on oil installation in the oil-rich region, the group urged those behind the attacks to stop the bombing of oil and gas installations and allow President Mohammad Buhari to fulfill his electoral promises.
In a statement issued in Yenagoa, Reuben Wilson, also known as General Pastor, MEND called on the aggrieved youths from the region to shun the temptation of resorting to violence and destruction of oil installations.
“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wishes to condemn and dissociate itself from the recent activities carried out by a group known as the ‘Niger Delta Avengers’.
“Their sudden emergence has absolutely nothing to do with the Niger Delta struggle, but is rather a tool by certain elements to destabilise the current government.
“Going by their actions and subsequent statements, it has become very apparent on who the sponsors of these group are.
“MEND serves notice to the international community that the Niger Delta region shall not be part of a secessionist Biafran State.
“Rather, the group believes in one strong united Nigerian federation where the principles and ideals of resource control; true federalism; the rule of law/respect for human rights; democracy; free enterprise; and a vibrant civil society are well entrenched in the grund norm and put to practice,” the group said.
MEND reiterated its call for the release of the Okah brothers – Henry and Charles – who were arrested in 2010 on what it called “trumped-up charges”.