The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, has threatened to blow up all Petrol Carrying Tankers across the country, insisting that Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Dieziani Alison-Madueke must resign for corruption
MEND, in a statement signed by Jomo Gbomo said Tanker carrying Petroleum Products are now its targets as part of its war against “injustice, corruption, despotism and oppression.”
The group while demanding an unreserved apology from the Federal Government of Nigeria, alleged that the Government tendered a forged letter at a South African Court purported to have originated from MEND which threatened the South African Government.
The Statement reads:
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta ‘ Hurricane Exodus’ resumed at about 00:05Hrs on Saturday, June 15, 2013, when field operatives from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D), stealthily attached portable military limpet explosives magnetically to two (2) articulated tanker vehicles laden with petrol in a queue outside the NNPC depot in Abaji, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The devices were timed to detonate simultaneously several seconds later.
The outcome was predictable. This segment of Exodus codenamed ‘Operation Touch and Go’ is targeted at the soft underbelly (downstream Sector) of the oil industry in Nigeria.
From today, every tanker vehicle we find distributing petroleum products including propane gas has become a legitimate target in our war against injustice, corruption, despotism and oppression.
Drivers of tanker vehicles continue to drive them at their own risk.
The public are hereby advised to maintain a safe distance from such vehicles as they can explode anytime and anywhere. Harassment on these tanker vehicles would be sustained until the following demands are met;
1. Henry Okah, his brother Charles and other innocent persons set up as scapegoats and held over the October 01, 2010 twin car bombings in Abuja be released unconditionally.
2. That an unreserved apology be tendered by the Nigerian government to MEND for presenting a forged email letter threatening the South African government purported to have originated from us and used as evidence in the sham trial and conviction of Henry Okah.
3. That a separate independent body outside Nigeria investigates the forged letter so as to ascertain its authenticity and make their findings public.
4. That since our struggle has never been about a Goodluck Jonathan Presidency, nor about been beneficiaries of dubious pipeline protection contracts and other forms of bribery, a conference to address the injustice, underdevelopment, environmental degradation and outstanding root issues confronting the Niger Delta region must be fixed to hold within three (3) months.
5. That the corrupt and inept Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke resigns as Minister of Petroleum.
Jomo Gbomo