MEND Enters The Rivers Crisis, Orders Attacks On Oil Pipelines In The Niger Delta
• Vows to expel “usurpers of the peoples authority” as Rivers crisis deepens
By PHC Telegraph
Fighters in the Niger Delta region usually referred to as militants who are largely operating under the aegis of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, have detonated explosives on important oil pipelines.
The Ogada Brass Agip trunk line, which runs from Omoku to the Brass Agip terminal came under attack at about 2:00 a.m Nigerian time, according to reports that are making the rounds.
The attack came hours after Tompolo who celebrated his birthday vowed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara must return to his seat.
He had equally warned those who are plotting to destabilise Bayelsa State to mind their steps, saying the outcome of their acts would be consequential.
Armed militants from the Liberation Army of the Niger Delta and Bakassi (L.A.N.D. & B) carried out the attacks on critical oil installations, sending a signal that “Usurpers” in Rivers State would be resisted henceforth.
Saturday, the Port Harcourt Telegraph had reported that the resistance of “homebred’ Rivers people” has begun, following the demonstration of Rivers women.
Resistance to anti-democratic actions begin in Rivers.Sunday, MEND ordered direct strikes on oil facilities, warning that it would no longer be business as usual.
That action, totally unexpected, has somehow escalated tensions in the oil-rich region, particularly in Rivers State where the political crisis is deepening allegedly because of the activities of the Ibok-Ete Ibas administration.
An attack, we have learnt, was also carried out at a strategic location along the Oron River, at a point behind the Maritime Academy.
According to a statement signed by the Operations Commander of L.A.N.D. & B Niger Delta Militants said the attacks were intended to send clear signals to persons referred to as “usurpers of the people’s legitimate authority.”
“We call upon all armed groups in Rivers State not to allow this affront pass without a fitting consequence”, the statement further said.
It was however an apparent reaction on the part of the militants in terms of scope to the intervention embarked on by the Federal Government in Rivers State.
“The attacks come in the wake of growing unrest in Rivers State following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a state of emergency in March”, Sahara Reporters reported.
Analysts say Nigeria’s revenue earnings might be heavily impacted if the Federal Government does not move immediately to stem needless actions in Rivers State which could lead to a breakdown of law and order and a spread of anti-Tinubu sentiments across the Niger Delta and beyond.
They also say it is time for the system to choose between the genuine leaders of the region who have been calling for restraint and Nyesom Wike whose alleged actions in River State, Bayelsa State and the entire geopolitical zone might stir serious crisis.