Major General Sarkinyaki Bello JTF Commander in Delta Photo: GEORGE ESIRI

MEND alleges new military attack

By Ayo Okulaja

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.

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Reader Comments (19)

Posted by Henry frm warri. on Nov 18 2009

MEND should watch it. The government is gradually carrying out it's mission. I don't trust the president nor any of his advisers. Nigerians should be prepared for the next face of the struggle. Those who thought we are not capable of doing anything can have a re-think after the so called armnesty. The kind of wapons that were submitted shows the ability of the freedom fighters. We have more of that in our possession. The new leaders of the struggle will be more bloody than the once that handed over the struggle.

Posted by mr Timothy Udoh on Nov 18 2009

Why won't MEND just drop this idea of reacting on every little thing and theatening fire and brimstone at the slightest provocation. MEND should understand that, no matter how much weapon they pocess they can never in their entire life defeat the Nigerian military in a conventional was situation. So they should stop raising any irresponsible alarm and join hands with the FG to restore permanent peace in that region for good.

Posted by whashuup on Nov 18 2009

Well said Timothy...it's ignorant homosapiens like Henry from Warri here that will lead the entire region to ultimate destruction.

Posted by Henry on Nov 18 2009

Let's give peace a chance pls.

Posted by Sola on Nov 18 2009

Both sides have to show restraint. This conflict cannot lead us to any good end. Propaganda by both parties will only present a situation of continuous chaos. We do not have anything to gain from the atmosphere of apprehension which the Niger Delta is perpetually under. Let us find a lasting solution to this problem. Don't let us continue to feather the caps of those who are reaping from the blood of innocent bloods being shed from time to time. Let us have a common front against the looters of our resources who are actually our common enemies. For the past five years I have not enjoyed good supply of electricity for one hour where I live in Ota, Ogun State, the usual explanation is that there is no supply of gas because of the Niger Delta crisis. Let us give them the opportunity of giving another reason for not moving Nigeria forward. Let us give President Yar'adua the benefit of the doubt. Nigeria will survive

Posted by Sola on Nov 18 2009

Posted by GEE on Nov 18 2009

We need to trust our selves to make things happen possitively. Let's give peace a chance.

Posted by raphbrown in china on Nov 18 2009

I vehemently dissagree with thimothy udoh, i dont think you are familiar with the locals in the delta, nigerian army, jft whatever are fighting a war they cant finish, dont lets in any context underrate the capacity of the niger delta boys.

Posted by Anietie Umoren on Nov 18 2009

Nigeria belongs to all of us and anything that would bring us out of the wood that we have been in all this years should be paramount to everyone irrespective of tribe and political class. MEND and the Niger Delta have made their point which has got the attention of everyone including the international community. The government has started implementing its policies towards solving the problems. Please let give it a chance and a benefit of doubt. With total support from everyone, the Niger Delta and Nigeria would be a place of our dreams.

Posted by Allassey on Nov 18 2009

The attack on the Niger Delta community is a demonstration of insincerity on the part of the Federal Government in the so-called amnesty to the Niger Delta freedom fighters.

Posted by Alice on Nov 18 2009

Federal Government had to do something so that this people will have a little trust in government again.Let us find a lasting solution to this problem in Niger Delta by providing them with all the necessary social amenities needed for the development of that area(rural areas).So that the issue of crisis will stop in this area.

Posted by Logunleko Imodoye on Nov 18 2009

What peace? What restraint? The only way that real peace can be achieved is when they make the people of Delta and other oil producing states the cornerstone of development. There will never be peace in Nigeria until the government does what is right. Have you ever seen any sign of peace on the faces of the people of Delta state? Of course, yes! On Ibori and his relatives. Man, peace is not attainable if a section of the country that's responsible for bringing home the bacon is not allowed eat in the bacon, but only allowed to watch as the bacon is being shared and eaten, and later asked to use the clothes he's wearing to clean hands. What more can Nigeria as nation ask the people of Delta to do? They have made billionaires, millionaires of people who don't even belong there. Used their God-given wealth to develop the length and breath of Nigeria--except of course their own backyard. Think about that! If there is any cause worth fighting for, this is it. If you care about the people of Delta state, let's join them in their struggles. For how long can they continue to suffer? When did we start pumping money into Abuja and can't you see result? Let them do same to Delta if they want peace. I like peace, but we have to understand that peace can only be achieved when there is justice. Let's not forget that.

Posted by vin on Nov 18 2009

MEND, what made u guy think u can defect the nigerian army in war. u guys are only causing problems for your people. for Godsake, let give peace a chance. if u guys really want war, i bet u it will not take the army 72 hours to wipe u guys off the face of the earth. but what will a govt gain from killing its own people. NOTHING. pls give peace a chance. help stop the suffering of the niger delta people.

Posted by OKEY. on Nov 18 2009

DON'T MIND THEM.BOTH THE FG & THE SO-CALLED MEND ARE DECEIVING US. WHY IT SEEMS THERE WAS PEACE ACCORD (OR AMNESTY)WAS BECOUSE OF UNDER 17 WORLD CUP NIGERIA WAS TO HOST. NOW THE WORLD CUP IS OVER, BOTH THE FG & MEND ARE BACK TO BUSINESS. THEY SHOULD STOP ALL THIS THEIR LITTLE GAMES.

Posted by TATA on Nov 19 2009

wen trouble sleep, yanga go wake am....

Posted by Alaka Yusuf Akin on Nov 19 2009

I think MEND is only making noise over nothing. They are using media and other propagandist measures to forward the cause of their selfish sponsors. The FG has promised to speed up development in the area, why not let them implement what they've promised before we start threatening to burn the whole country? Was it an attack or a check on a perceived cache of ammunition hidden by some elements of MEND to prosecute their "Freedom Fight"? If mend has nothing to hide, if their so called indefinite cease fire is anything to go by? Why do they felt threatened by routine community check? Only recently a cache of ammunition was unearthed at ASPAMDA in Ojo, Lagos. Who alleged attack when this ammunition was unearthed? We are all watching, but MEND leadership should direct their energy towards the true emancipation of their people and not cry wolves where there are none.

Posted by Styles on Nov 19 2009

Timothy Udoh and Co should please read Guerrilla Warfare by Che Guevera. Today, no sane person or militia group would engage in a conventional warfare with a regular army but with the above mentioned method, the American lost more men in Iraq, so would the Nigerian army loose,if the time comes, its 2009 and not 1979, We won't be fooled for the second time by a so called FG.

Posted by Patrick on Nov 20 2009

The so called MEND should stop all these insinuations if peace is to be restored in the Niger Delta regions of Nigeria. The fact that Yar'dua granted them Amnesty doesn't mean the arm forces are not to do their job of safe guarding the area. Besides this group of selfish idiots should stop presenting themselves as fighters of justice; they are simply bunch of opportunist who would commit all sorts of atrocities to gain their selfish interest. May God judge them for their brutality and the shame they brought to our once peaceful country.

Posted by smith on Nov 20 2009

its not for individual to judge, yes there is the duty on the forces to act in community security however it should be the government if anyone be called to question as to how if there was a breach of any agreement. We should all concentrate on what, how and effect any long term agreement would yield.