Date Published: 01/18/11

Charles Okah placed on life support
…As MEND warns of a ferocious attack

Charles Okah in handcuff

Charles Okah, brother of the acclaimed leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND has been placed on a life support at the National Hospital, Abuja, pointblanknews.com can report authoritatively.

Okah who is being charged alongside others for terrorism following the October 1, 2010 independence Anniversary bombing that claimed the lives of about 12 persons was said to have collapsed while appearing in court today and was immediately rushed to the national Hospital.

He is elder brother; Henry is currently facing terrorism trials in South Africa.

Sources told Pointblanknews.com that after series of test conducted by Doctors at the Hospital, Okah was moved to a private ward where he is placed on oxygen under the watchful eyes of men and woman of the State Security Service, SSS and armed military personnel.

Okah, according to sources is pale, frail, weak and visibly ill. He fell to the ground before his trial in Abuja. 

Meanwhile, MEND has warned that it would attack the downstream sector of the Nigerian oil industry ferociously in the coming days, warning the public to evacuate from any oil depot.

The group in a statement signed by Gbomo Jomo frowned at the continuous detention of “our brothers” adding that they wwould not sit back and fold its arms “to see a government bent on eliminating them for no just course.”

The statement reads:

“The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) will soon commence a ferocious attack on the downstream oil sector of the Nigerian oil industry.”

“To avert avoidable loss of lives and properties, advance warning for immediate evacuation is hereby issued to residents in close proximity to depots storing petroleum products such as aviation fuel, diesel, kerosene, petrol, propane gas and engine oil.”

“We cannot guarantee the safety of staff that happens to be in the facility during an attack. We will also be targeting transport vehicles that convey petroleum products.”

“Anyone who chooses to ignore this warning does so at their own peril.”

“ The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D) has being following closely the activities of the Nigerian government in the handling of the arrest and detention of our respected brothers and will not sit back and fold our hands to see a government bent on eliminating them for no just course.”

Jomo Gbomo