MEND Threatens to Bomb Abuja, Lagos

 A warning purportedly coming from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) indicates that it plans to commence simultaneous bomb attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta area as well as in Lagos and Abuja.

The warning, posted on the internet by Jomo Gbomo yesterday, added that Nigerians and foreigners who ignored the warning did so at their own peril. The militant group insisted that the planned attacks would be catastrophic.

The statement reads: "The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) will soon commence simultaneous bomb attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta and other strategic locations in Abuja and Lagos State of Nigeria.

"Due to our commitment to averting avoidable loss of lives, advance warnings for immediate evacuation as previously done will be issued and a final warning will be issued thirty (30) minutes prior to the blasts, after which will follow a statement of claim in line with our modus operandi.

"The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) advises the general public in the strongest of terms to stay clear from all political gatherings or meetings of any sort.

"It should be recalled in our last Independence Day bomb blast that it was due to the callousness of the Nigerian security services and ignorance of the general public that led to the fatality. Again, anyone who chooses to ignore this warning does so at their own peril as the aftermath of these blasts will be catastrophic.

"The government of Goodluck Jonathan has shown its unwillingness to address the key issues of the Niger Delta but chosen, instead, to continue doling out bribes to thugs and plunder the resources of the Niger Delta into his presidential campaign while deceiving the world and Nigerians that there is peace in the Niger Delta.

"Our revolution, like that of our fellow brothers in Northern Africa, will start with the crippling of the Nigerian oil industry to flush out all Western oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region with the simultaneous bomb blasts never anticipated in the history of this country.

"The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta salutes the courage and dedication of its fighters who have, against all odds, persisted in the fight for justice."

Leadership

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