MEND Nigeria-Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta-MEND-Official News Site -tracking News, Articles, Interviews and Opinions, related to MEND- from 1999 to Present
Port Harcourt — Twenty-four hours after members of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) attacked the Central Police Station in Port Harcourt to secure the release of their detained leader, Sobomabo George, the state police command yesterday said it lost 125 detainees in the process to the militants. The detainees, according to the police command, were forcefully released from its cells by the militants.
Port Harcourt — THE Sunday shooting in Port Harcourt to release a detainee, Soboma George in Police custody by MEND has been viewed as sad and a deviation from the true agitations of the Niger-Delta.
Lamenting the incident which claimed two innocent lives and led to wanton destruction of properties in the capital city, a militant group, Coalition For Militant Action, said the release of detained Asari Dokubo would bring an end to these hostilities in the region.
analysis
Lagos — SEVERAL factors have informed the necessity to take the discourse of the conflict in the Niger-Delta to the public domain. Of course, there have been several attempts to sensitise the government and people of Nigeria to the policies and industrial activities which portend to disconnect the territory and peoples of the Niger- Delta from the human family. We shall find together in the following weeks that this is no exaggeration; members of our movement are gratified by the resolve of the Editorial Board of the Vanguard to provide space for the publication of the articulated grievances and aspirations behind the Niger-Delta Struggle.
Port Harcourt — No fewer than five persons were feared dead and several others wounded yesterday afternoon in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, in a clash between Nigeria Police personnel and militants. The incident also left the Central Police Station in the town razed down, eight cars burnt, 15 others smashed at the State Investigation and Intelligence Bureau (SIIB) while detainees were freed by the militants.
Port Harcourt — PORT Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, was yesterday practically turned into a theatre of war after some people suspected to be supporters of a militant, Soboma George, went on a shooting spree throwing residents into panic. At least one person was killed while several others were wounded in the shooting.
Port Harcourt — AN unidentified church worshipper was shot dead in Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday as 60 gunmen invaded the Borokiri area of the city shooting indiscriminately and setting buildings ablaze.
Warri — MEN of the State Security Service (SSS) in Delta State, yesterday, raided the Warri and its environs of a supposed militant, suspected to have been involved in the January 20 kidnap of the 24 Filipinos by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND).
analysis
AT a point, it seemed as if reprieve had, at last, come to the restive Niger-Delta region. At that time, hostage-taking and other acts of violence had gone down quite considerably and the Federal Government and security agencies therein heaved some sighs of relief. But it did not last so long. Just recently, the militants resumed taking of hostages, prompting a furious President Olusegun Obasanjo to warn them to desist or be confronted.
Warri — THE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), yesterday, warned all those masquerading as negotiators/mediators for the release of the 24 Filippinos that were kidnapped, last Saturday, at the Chanomi Creek in Warri South-West local government area to steer clear, as the group is not demanding for ransom from any quarters.
Yenagoa — NO fewer than 10 Chinese oil workers were yesterday abducted by unidentified militants in Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa State, just as one youth was reportedly killed in a fresh gun duel between the Joint Task Force (JTF) and a Niger Delta group.