It was a deflation of sorts. On a day the media was awash with the news of Henry Okah's release, another news item exploded to compete for attention.
Nothing unusual one would say. But the attack on Atlas Cove Jetty, which left several casualties - depending on whose account you believe - blunted the news of the release of the most prominent detainee in Nigeria, and reducing its significance in the larger scheme of things as it affects the resolution of the Niger Delta conundrum.
Granted, Nigeria's present government has never shown seriousness in tackling issues affecting the country's sores. The delta crisis has festered for so long that one might be tempted to forgive the Umaru Musa Yar'Adua-led government for seeming incapability of doing anything to settle it once and for all.
Well, it came up with the amnesty plan and ₦50 billion to boot. Repeatedly, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has made the release of Mr. Okah a major fulcrum for negotiations with the state. Yet, the operations by men of the Joint Task Force continued, until it escalated with the Gbaramatu kingdom bombings which forced innocent citizens to flee their homesteads.
But MEND did not stop its attacks on oil facilities, even when machinery was set in motion to effect Mr. Okah's release. Then it attacked Atlas Cove on Sunday, July 12. The depot and loading tankers moored at the facility caught fire and supply of imported products is currently at risk.
A statement issued by the militant group said, "the two-pronged approach of combining dialogue and intensifying attacks throughout the course of negotiations will be the unique characteristics of Hurricane Moses."
Naturally, the attack has been condemned. As this website reported, Itse Sagay, a professor of law and an Itsekiri from Niger Delta; the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and Afenifere Renewal Group all spoke against the attack.
Mr. Sagay said the Federal Government needs to be given the chance to build on what it has started, while Afenifere Renewal Group described the attack as unfortunate.
Nature of the struggle
Surely, MEND risks alienating supporters from its cause with this attack. What exactly is the struggle about? To call attention to injustice in the delta or to perpetrate sheer criminality? Questions and questions.
Also, the nation's security agencies have a lot to answer for with this criminal action. How did MEND pull off the attack? Does it mean that other critical installations in Lagos and Abuja are not safe and could be attacked at any moment? Who were supposed to be on guard at the time of the attack? How true is MEND's claim of superior fire power to that of naval men at the scene?
Every struggle or movement needs to be re-evaluated at critical moments. MEND has reached a terminus of decision. Either it gives negotiations and discussions a chance to blossom and expose the sincerity or otherwise of government or to attract condemnation and consequently help to drain attention and support for the genuine desire of the Niger Delta people to have a special development plan implemented in their area.
The answer is up to the gun-toting boys and their handlers.