MEND APOCALYSE, WE SHALL BURN DOWN NIGERIA!
As MEND gives its final notice - just 7 more days to the mother of all militancy, it is panic-time for Nigeria, especially her custodian, the sickly scarecrow at Aso Rock. Icheoku says, this latest MEND declaration shows that it is not yet Uhuru for President Umaru Yar'Adua and his gimmickry amnesty trickery! Nigerians are once again being forced to brace themselves for a new and more ferocious rounds of attacks, effective October 15, 2009. This time, with promised fire and brim-stones! And if the container, full of arms that was seized at Lagos ports is any indication of what lies ahead, then every Nigerian needs to be seriously worried. Our guess-estimation is that for every one container found and seized, there were ten other containers which were not dictated, with its lethal cargo now resting in some warehouse somewhere in Nigeria. So with such cache of weaponry, it is natural that only blood could flow and the blood of Nigerians, that is? So, now you agree that it does not look good; MEND does not make empty threats, they are not jokers as their Atlas Cove high profile pull-off attests. This time, it is inferno unlimited; as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has threatened to burn down Nigeria? Nigerians, what is happening or are we gradually approaching the precipice? Witnessing the end of the entity soon to become, formerly known as Nigeria? But do they really have the wherewithal to put their words into action or walk their talk? Only time will tell as the October 15, 2009 date with infamy fast approaches; all we can do is to monitor and comment on developments thereto, - the Niger delta freedom agitation! Would it be a case of 'he who laughs last, laughs best' or a testament that the much trumpeted Preisdent Umaru Yar'Adua's joker of an amnesty and surrender succeeded? In their 8-days notice of impending doom and catastrophe issued to Nigerians; an otherwise response to the ongoing amnesty/surrender of militants between President Umaru Yar'Adua's government and some militants, MEND made several claims. They alleged that "most of those who participated in 'this fraud of an amnesty/surrender were rented by the government" in the hope that real militants would be goaded out?" Also that 'most of the weapons "recovered" were purchased" for this theatrical purpose of staging "surrendering militants and their weapons? Continuing, MEND said, 'except for some key-figure militants who were encouraged to come out because their cover were blown, every-other participating 'so-called-militant' is just another hired underlining of the people given the task to coral militants? According to MEND, they were simply staging a show to impress their boss at Aso Rock as the core militant freedom fighters are in training and getting ready for the final 'Operation Take Down Nigeria-Babylon". MEND warned all oil companies to disregard this propaganda by the Nigerian government and reaffirmed they will resume attacks against the oil industry at the expiration of their ceasefire on October 15, 2009. They branded this next phase of their struggle as the most critical and called it the mother of all attacks and promised to end what it called '50 years of slavery of the people of the Niger Delta by the Nigerian government.' MEND also promised to ''completely burn down all attacked installations and will no longer limit attacks to just destruction of mere pipelines.' MEND also said it will have no representation at the Friday, October 9, 2009 meeting which the government planned to hold with the so-called-stake-holders. MEND assured Nigerians that they "will fight for their land with the last drop of their blood, regardless of how many people the government of Nigeria and the oil companies are successful in bribing." Icheoku says, a word is enough for the wise Nigerians as we can only wait until October 15, 2009 to see if militancy in the Niger Delta has been finally de-fanged with the recent amnesty or there have not been any rapprochement with real deal militants of the Niger Delta!
As MEND gives its final notice - just 7 more days to the mother of all militancy, it is panic-time for Nigeria, especially her custodian, the sickly scarecrow at Aso Rock. Icheoku says, this latest MEND declaration shows that it is not yet Uhuru for President Umaru Yar'Adua and his gimmickry amnesty trickery! Nigerians are once again being forced to brace themselves for a new and more ferocious rounds of attacks, effective October 15, 2009. This time, with promised fire and brim-stones! And if the container, full of arms that was seized at Lagos ports is any indication of what lies ahead, then every Nigerian needs to be seriously worried. Our guess-estimation is that for every one container found and seized, there were ten other containers which were not dictated, with its lethal cargo now resting in some warehouse somewhere in Nigeria. So with such cache of weaponry, it is natural that only blood could flow and the blood of Nigerians, that is? So, now you agree that it does not look good; MEND does not make empty threats, they are not jokers as their Atlas Cove high profile pull-off attests. This time, it is inferno unlimited; as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has threatened to burn down Nigeria? Nigerians, what is happening or are we gradually approaching the precipice? Witnessing the end of the entity soon to become, formerly known as Nigeria? But do they really have the wherewithal to put their words into action or walk their talk? Only time will tell as the October 15, 2009 date with infamy fast approaches; all we can do is to monitor and comment on developments thereto, - the Niger delta freedom agitation! Would it be a case of 'he who laughs last, laughs best' or a testament that the much trumpeted Preisdent Umaru Yar'Adua's joker of an amnesty and surrender succeeded? In their 8-days notice of impending doom and catastrophe issued to Nigerians; an otherwise response to the ongoing amnesty/surrender of militants between President Umaru Yar'Adua's government and some militants, MEND made several claims. They alleged that "most of those who participated in 'this fraud of an amnesty/surrender were rented by the government" in the hope that real militants would be goaded out?" Also that 'most of the weapons "recovered" were purchased" for this theatrical purpose of staging "surrendering militants and their weapons? Continuing, MEND said, 'except for some key-figure militants who were encouraged to come out because their cover were blown, every-other participating 'so-called-militant' is just another hired underlining of the people given the task to coral militants? According to MEND, they were simply staging a show to impress their boss at Aso Rock as the core militant freedom fighters are in training and getting ready for the final 'Operation Take Down Nigeria-Babylon". MEND warned all oil companies to disregard this propaganda by the Nigerian government and reaffirmed they will resume attacks against the oil industry at the expiration of their ceasefire on October 15, 2009. They branded this next phase of their struggle as the most critical and called it the mother of all attacks and promised to end what it called '50 years of slavery of the people of the Niger Delta by the Nigerian government.' MEND also promised to ''completely burn down all attacked installations and will no longer limit attacks to just destruction of mere pipelines.' MEND also said it will have no representation at the Friday, October 9, 2009 meeting which the government planned to hold with the so-called-stake-holders. MEND assured Nigerians that they "will fight for their land with the last drop of their blood, regardless of how many people the government of Nigeria and the oil companies are successful in bribing." Icheoku says, a word is enough for the wise Nigerians as we can only wait until October 15, 2009 to see if militancy in the Niger Delta has been finally de-fanged with the recent amnesty or there have not been any rapprochement with real deal militants of the Niger Delta!
FG Vows To Crush MEND
ReplyDelete8,299 Militants Disarm, Surrender 2,760 Weapons
Amnesty Panel Co-ordinator, Lucky Ararile, noted the new threat issued by the MEND on Wednesday, but reminded the group that the amnesty declared by President Umaru Yar'Adua has elapsed; so the government would react as appropriate if the threat is carried out.
Ararile, who was giving account of the work of the panel, told journalists in Abuja that it would be foolish for any group to dare the federal might after its magnanimity, as doing so is suicidal.
Its Spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, argued that the meeting is "further insult on the people of the Niger Delta'' because it is a "dialogue" with people Abuja can easily manage.
"In this next phase, we will burn down all attacked installations and no longer limit our attacks to the destruction of pipelines," Jomo threatened.
Ararile, nonetheless, repeated that the door is closed against militants who refused to accept the amnesty which expired on October 4, stressing that any of them looking for pardon now will be treated like a criminal.
He said the panel was overwhelmed by the huge number of those who accepted the amnesty and surrendered their arms, "Which means that the troubled Niger Delta is safe now."
According to him, a total 8,299 militants registered to accept the amnesty, and a total 2,760 arms were collected from them, plus 287,445 ammunition, 18 gun boats, 763 explosives, 1,090 dynamite caps, and 3,155 magazines.
He said the list of militants is provisional as more of them in the camps of Tompolo, Dagogo, Busta Ryhmes, Ateke Tom, who have all accepted the amnesty on behalf of their groups, are being expected to register officially.
He put the number expected at between 5,000 and 6,000.
Ararile said 162 militants have been registered in Akwa Ibom State, and they surrendered 51 arms, 959 ammunition, five explosive dynamites, 41 magazines, one bullet proof jacket, and one dynamite cable.
In Bayelsa 4,869 militants laid down 951 arms, 130,877 ammunition, 18 gun boats, 23 explosive dynamites, 31 dynamite caps, 1,585 magazines, 6 RPG charger, one AK 47 bayonet, one walkie-talkie, one A/Riot grenade, two local made knives, and 153 cartridges.
Up to 160 militants in Cross River surrendered 20 arms, 9,748 ammunition, 59 explosive dynamites, 38 magazines, 4 radios, and one charger.
In Delta, 1,061 militants gave up 449 arms, 52,958 ammunition, 521 explosive dynamites, 1,035 dynamite caps, 414 magazines, and two walkie-talkies.
The number of militants who registered in Edo was 250, and they surrendered 82 arms, 772 ammunition, 53 explosive dynamites, 24 dynamite caps, and 29 magazines.
In Ondo, 750 dispossessed themselves of 198 arms and 9,725 ammunition.
A total 1,047 militants in Rivers gave up 1,009 arms, 82,406 ammunition, 102 explosive dynamites, 1,048 magazines, two tear gas, 12 cartridges, and nine RPG chargers.
Ararile disclosed that only N958 million of the panel's N10.14 billion budget given by the National Assembly (NASS) has been released.
He noted that an additional N1.273 billion was reportedly released on Wednesday, but the account of the panel has not been credited.
He said the new release would be used to pay the allowances of repentant militants who receive N65,000 per month.
But Ararile stressed that the budget may not be sufficient for 10,000 militants, whose number is even expected to rise to about 15,000 when those in the camps of Tompolo, Dagogo, Buster Rhyme, and Ateke Tom register.
That notwithstanding, rehabilitation centres have been established in Rivers and Delta with a combined capacity of 2,400 slots to train repentant militants for one month in their chosen vocation.
The training will be rotated until all participate, and the monthly allowance will be paid until the training is completed.
Ararile said the weapons collected will be kept at the military arms dump in Enugu until the government decides what to do with them.