A relatively unknown militant group that says it operates in the Niger Delta region, the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force, JNDLF, on Monday, June 6, 2016 said it was set to bomb just about every major government building in the nation’s capital.
According to a statement by the JNDLF, 6 missiles will be launched on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. That is today at key targets like the Presidential Villa, headquarters of the Department of State Services, the Defence Headquarters, the National Assembly, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Towers, Abuja. Others include the Police Headquarters, Central Bank of Nigeria, the headquarters of some multinational oil companies; the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court.
It looks like the group plans to bomb the entire three arms zone of Abuja, the seat of power for the three arms of the federal government. The militants warn that all personnel need to vacate the listed government compounds and office building because the group has no interest in “destroying lives”
Multiple person in the group signed the statement which strays into every possible topic, simply put, it is all over the place. The statement even warns diplomats to not criticise its activities.
So, who signed the statement? General Akotebe Darikoro, commander, general duties; General Torunanaowei Latei, creeks network co-ordinator; General Agbakakuro Owei-Tauro, pipelines bleeding expert; and General Pulokiri Ebiladei, intelligence bureau.
It should be noted that missiles are not light weapons and hardly obtained by even well funded groups and Niger Delta militants have never ventured outside the region. It remains to be seen if this group will break from character and attack Abuja.
Well, Tuesday, June 7, 2016 is here. We just have to watch and see in light of the fact that the government has not even acknowledged that this group exists. The militant group in the Niger Delta that the Nigerian government and oil majors and their governments are concerned about is the Niger Delta Avengers.
Monday, Nigeria’s minister of state for petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu revealed that the federal government had set up a panel headed by the national security adviser, Babagana Monguno, to negotiate with the Avengers.
Below is the statement issued by the JNDLF on its Facebook page.
“In our final meeting it was resolved that the Nigerian Communication Satellite Orbit should be shut down so that it will avoid the cause of electronic radiation to human lives.
“Also, the followings occupants of these buildings should as a matter of urgency vacate in them immediately IN THEIR OWN INTEREST to save their lives because our fight is not for ANY HUMAN BLOOD but to destroy all those infrastructures that were built with our oil and gas monies in this country. We will make federal government and oil companies to suffer as they have made the people of Niger Delta region suffers over the years from environmental degradation, and environmental pollution. They include:
1. STATE HOUSE, VILLA- ABUJA
2. DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS
3. DSS HEADQUARTERS
4. POLICE HEADQUARTERS
5. NATIONAL ASSENBLY
6. NNPC TOWERS
7. CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
8. SUPREME COURT/APPEAL COURT
9. AGIP HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA
10. SHELL HEADQUARERS, LAGOS
11. CHEVRON HEADQUARTERS, LAGOS
12. EXXON MOBIL, LAGOS
13. NLNG, LAGOS & ABUJA OFFICES
14. KADUNA REFINERY
15. ALL MILITARY FORMATIONS IN ABUJA, LAGOS, KADUNA, BENUE, ETC.
“We shall fire these Missiles’ simultaneously at the night, as this will enable every Nigerians to see the movement of the MISSILES and equally to believe us of our seriousness attached to the final breakup as predicted by the United States of America (USA).
“We equally advise the Diplomatic Community to be neutral on this issue as wrong comments against us will be seen as saboteurs. Where they are staying presently will not be affected which is not part of our targeted areas of destruction in the country.
“We shall embarrass the self acclaimed Nigerian Air Force with their recent deployment of fighter aircraft, helicopter gunship and surveillance aircraft when at this digital age, countries are talking about Missile development, and they still condescend so low of their present obsolete equipment. This is sad indeed!”
“Note, we are going to destroy the ones they have deployed to Escravos, Forcados in Delta State; Bonga oil field, Agbami offshore and Brass in Bayelsa; Bony in Rivers; Qua Iboe Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, and Opuekeba in Ondo State if they fails to remove them before time. Our crack team has taken inventory of their equipments.
“Even the present suffering from a rare ear disease known as Meniere’s disease by President Muhammadu Buhari will not win any sympathy to save our action against the federal government. The name Nigeria as a country will come to an end this week.”
