National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi (rtd)
By Onwuka Nzeshi and Muhammad Bello
The House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Joint Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ministry of Niger Delta, Public Safety and National Security to investigate the implementation of the Amnesty Programme and ascertain the performance of all bodies connected with the programme.
However, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) which claimed it attacked an oil manifold at Brass belonging to Agip in Bayelsa State, has said it would resume attacks on the oil industry again in the coming week.
But the House resolution followed the unanimous adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon Arowosoge Abiose (ACN/Ekiti) in which the lawmaker drew the attention of the parliament to the resurgence of hostilities and attacks on oil facilities by MEND in the oil rich region.
It would be recalled that in August 2009, late President Umaru Yar’Adua extended amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta as a way of halting attacks on oil installations by the militant groups.
In the lead debate, Abiose said MEND had began a new phase of terrorist attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta.
He said the group which suspended such attacks for a year, had warned that there would be several attacks this year until oil production activities were shut down in the country.
According to him, MEND has concluded plans to attack South African companies and other multinationals operating in Nigeria, and warned that this renewed violence could cripple the Nigerian economy.
Abiose said though the Federal Government had taken steps to address the problems in the region the establishment of the NDDC, Ministry of Niger Delta and the granting of amnesty to militants from the region, there was need to address the current activities of MEND as the country was still battling with the Boko Haram insurgency which was already having ripple effects on the economy.
The lawmaker warned that if MEND made good its threat to attack South African interests in Nigeria, it could create a diplomatic row between the two countries.
Meanwhile, MEND in a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, sent to journalists online yesterday, said: “In the next few weeks we will carry our more serious attacks on the Nigerian oil industry.”
MEND also dismissed a statement that the task force has identified the Agip installations bombers and that they were impostors fraudulently assuming the toga of MEND as wrong.
The militant group urge Nigerians “to disregard the pathetic …propaganda …” by the JTF spokesperson, insisting that all statements posted on Sahara reporters and the times of Nigeria websites are authentic MEND statements.”
“Just as Goodluck Jonathan attempted to blame our bomb attacks of October 1, 2010, on northern politicians, it is very convenient for the Nigerian government to again frame innocent people. We hope the government of Nigeria has apprehended all persons declared wanted,” MEND stated.
The committees has been mandated to invite relevant stakeholders and fashion out a comprehensive and integrated solution to the Niger Delta problem and report back to the House within two weeks.
In another motion, the House has mandated the committees on Appropriation and Aviation to ensure the inclusion of fund needed for the upgrading of the Ibadan Airport in the 2012 budget.
It also urged the Federal Airports Authourity of Nigeria (FAAN) to step up security at the airport.
Hon. Abiodun Awoleye (ACN-Oyo) moved the motion, saying the airport established on June 1983, was not included in the list of five airports recently approved for upgrading by the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Meanwhile, MEND in a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, sent to journalists online yesterday, said: “In the next few weeks we will carry our more serious attacks on the Nigerian oil industry.”
MEND also dismissed a statement credited that the task force has identified the AGIP installations bombers and that they were impostors fraudulently assuming the toga of MEND as wrong.
The militant group urge Nigerians “to disregard the pathetic …propaganda …” by the JTF spokesperson, insisting that all statements posted on Sahara reporters and the times of Nigeria websites are authentic MEND statements.”
“Just as Goodluck Jonathan attempted to blame our bomb attacks of October 1, 2010, on northern politicians, it is very convenient for the Nigerian government to again frame innocent people. We hope the government of Nigeria has apprehended all persons declared wanted,” MEND stated.
Last Monday the JTF issued a statement that it has identified seven people as the brains behind the attack on AGIP facilities and gave the suspected militants an ultimatum “to turn themselves in for interaction with authorities of the Joint Task Force in Yenagoa, latest 12 noon, 8 Feb 2012.”
According to Lt. Col. Antigha “the suspects and their cohorts are out to swindle Niger Deltans by appropriating the identity of the estwhile leadership of MEND to advance their selfish interest. For the avoidance of doubt, people who were the leadership of MEND are now responsible members of the society, having accepted the amnesty.”