By George Onah
Port Harcourt— The Movemdent for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, has warned that it will 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 these facilities to vacate the areas, said its action was traceable to what it called the unacceptable punishment meted to certain unnamed persons withing its ranks.

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

“MEND will soon commence a ferocious attack on the downstream oil sector of the Nigerian oil industry.

“To avert avoidable loss of lives and property, 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 who happen to be at 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 his own peril.

“MEND 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,” the statement added.