By George Onah
The Movemdent for the Emancipation of Niger Delta has warned that it would soon commence “a ferocious attack” on oil installations as well as petroleum, gas and other fuel storage facilities in the region.

In addition, the group said petrol tankers carrying such commodities would be targetted.

The group which advised people living around those facilities to vacate the areas said its action is traceable to the unacceptable punishment meted to certain unnamed persons withing its ranks.

In view of this, MEND said it would not fold its hands and watch in the course of the “arrest and detention of our respected brothers”. A statement signed by its spokesman accused the government of wanting to eliminate members of the group.

“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 been 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”.