By Emma Nnadozie and Albert Akpor
LAGOS – MILITANTS yesterday continued their offensive in the unending bombardment of oil installations in the country blowing off Atlas Cove, a major petroleum product distribution to Mosemi and Ejigbo depots.
Destroyed NNPC's Jetty at Atlass-Cove, Tarkwa Bay, Lagos by MEND yesterday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele
Three naval personnel including a naval commander identified as Kolawole Joseph Aweh were burnt beyond recognition, Sources said the attack took place at about 10.30pm.
According to sources, the militants numbering 225 and armed to the teeth stormed the oil installation in 15 boats and opened fire sporadically at the sight of a naval personnel who was said to be the Officer- in-charge, killing him on the spot. Others who heard the deafening bombardment took a swift dive into the water for safety. However, two other unidentified ratings who were not so lucky were killed during the militants’ indiscriminate use of fire power.
The militants were said to had continued their offensive by storming the armoury after which they carted away a large number of arms and ammunition. Sources said they planted dynamite on all other strategic area of the oil installation and blew the whole installations into pieces.
When Vanguard visited the area at about 1.30 pm today, charred remains of the officers including the commander who was said to had resumed duty barely three weeks at the Atlas Cove were spotted on the ground, several arms and ammunition that were destroyed also littered the ground.
An officer who spoke on condition of anonymity described the invasion as `unprecedented` adding that “it was an attack too many. The navy did not expect this. From the way they came, it is evident that some of them might have been hiding in the neighbouring villages including Takwa bay before they struck”
As at the time of filling this report, it was not possible to get the reaction of the Director of Naval Information, Commodore David Nabaida. But the Chief of Naval Staff, CNS Ibrahim Ishaya, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Ola S. Ibrahim were on groung to assess the extent of damages. They all kept sealed lips over the attack.
More later….
Our problem in this country called Nigeria is greedy, envy, pride and arrogance. These coupled together can not lead us anywhere other than doom. Imagine country called “six largest oil producing nation, giant of Africa” has become a subject of ridicule across the globe. Imagine national strike going in this country called Nigeria. The hope of every family in Nigeria is to sent out their children to UK, US and other EU countries for a greener pasture!! What a calamity, shame to our corrupt, good for nothing country leaders. Tell me, how many countries in EU, Asian, America can send their children to Africa (Nigeria) either for a holiday or studies or greener pasture?. The difference is clear.
We are too proud that, we do not have conscience or the fear of God, not even be ashamed of our ignorance. God help Nigeria that is close to the grave!!
This is the end result of the corruption of ALL our leaders.
And by the way corruption has impoverished ALL Nigerians and not just those in the South-South.
So it is time for ALL Nigerians (From South to North to East to West) to jointly devise a method (if possible in our lifetime) of getting our Corrupt leaders out of Power and into Life imprisonment.
LET ALL OF US NIGERIANS KNOW THAT WE HAVE NO ANY COUNTRY TO CALL OUR NIGERIA THAN THE NIGERIA OF TODAY. GOD FORBID IF BREAK OURSELVES WE HAVE NO COUNTRY TO TAKE SHELTER AS REFUGEES. NO COUNTRY WILL WELCOME US AS I CAN GUESS FOR EXAMPLE THAT GHANA WILL REJECT US OR TAKE US FOR SLAVERY AND LABEL US NIGERIAN MUST GO, OR CAMEROON WILL ENSLAVE US AND TAKE US TO BAKASI AS SLAVE? GOD FORBID, OR WE GO TO CHARD WHERE WE CAN NOT GROW YAMS, CASSAVA AND OTHE NATIONAL STABLE FOOD TO FEED? GOD FORBID. NOT EVEN LIBERIA , NOT EVEN SOUTH AFRICA , NO NATION THAT THIS GREAT COUNTRY HAS RESTORED PEACE AND FREEDOM CAN GUARRANTEE OUR GOD GIFTED FREEDOM WE HAVE BEFORE AND EVEN NOW. TO ALL ENEMIES OF NIGERIA MAY GOD DESTROY YOU AS GROUP OR AS A PERSON. AMEN. GOD SAVE NIGERIA FOR AFRICA AND THE WORLD. AMEN.
Those facilities that are being targeted put foods on the table of common man and also pay their bills. Go after these corrupt leaders and their personal property. Let them feel the anger of ordinary man on the street by inflicting pain and misery in their household.
You people had never witness the ugly face of war. If full blown war happen in Nigeria. It is the weak and vulnerable that will suffer most. The causality will be very high on all sides. Benefit of not going to war far out weight civil war. MEND should be fighting for common man on the street by taking the fight to target those perceive as enemy of progress. Let us hold the thieves, corrupt leaders within accountable for their action.
CreekPope I hail you for ur corrections of my postings. I realise I was bit divisive in that comment. I am younger than that war, so any things may have happened I do not know. You were also right about trusing an Igbo man. I wount also give him my supper to keep. But there are still good ones among them who knew this as part of life. You cannot just trust people like that. i am claiming wisdom for the Igbos, but the point is that they knew and believe that not even the king should be entriely trusted and therefore what the good ones among them is doing is to put viable institutions like te true federalsim and others to checkmate the bad ones among them.
The worst people you ahve on earth are teBritish, yet they are doing well because tey made sure tese institutions exist. I am in UK now and one of my friends is paid 3pounds below minimum wage on the condition that he and the employer share the tax money. This upon all the institutions.
I also hail you Egwu Egwuonu for reminding me that division as Igbo,ND,Ibibio is actually unimportant now since we all are still fighting.
MEND was not responsible for the civilian casualties- http://www.compassnews.net/news/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=22474:how-i-escaped-death-by-witness-&catid=43:news&Itemid=63
Yoruba man – we expected your responses. We are not surprised or dismayed because you are the only problem killing our people slowly. Therefore, if you believe that the activities of FGN at Atlas Cove are not part of your schemes, then make your move. If you believe that Atlas Cove is not the symbol of oppression and injustice, then come on with your threats. Obasanjo killed many of our children to preserve the activities in Atlas Cove and you stood with him – you are yet to send him to prison or to his death. Therefore, your turn is here. Make your move.