hreats of fresh bomb explosions heightened yesterday, as the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said it would wreak more havoc should the Federal Government repatriate and put its leader, Henry Okah to trial over the October 1 bomb attack in Abuja.

Spokesman of MEND, Jomo Gbomo during an online interview with the Daily Sun maintained that the group was responsible for the bombings, which coincided with the parade ceremony during the nation’s 50th Independence anniversary.
If Okah is repatriated, he contended, he would not get fair trial because the MEND leader has always been blamed for what he is not involved in.

“We will come down very hard on the system because it will be another Ken Saro Wiwa kangaroo trial.
“Henry Okah has always been blamed for what he is not involved in. This is not the first-time, so, it is not coming as a surprise to us. If he was not arrested during the Bonga and Atlas Cove attacks, he would have been blamed as the mastermind,” he said.

Gbomo averred that MEND had made its point with the bombings in Abuja and would employ the same method of attack on military targets. This, he explained, would happen when the group declares resumption of hostilities.
He, however, tendered apology to the families of innocent Nigerians that lost their lives to the Abuja explosions, saying, it was not their intent to kill them.
According to him, “Our apology stems from the avoidable loss of innocent lives as this was not our intent. We wanted to use the opportunity to blame the security agencies for not playing their roles considering the forewarning we gave them.

“We have made our point and we will use this method of attack on military targets after we declare a resumption of hostilities.”
Reacting to President Goodluck Jonathan’s statement that MEND was not responsible for the attacks but perpetrated by terrorists, Gbomo asserted: “It is an obvious political comment which any smart person can see through.”

Jonathan had said last Saturday: “It’s a small terrorist group that resides outside Nigeria and sponsored to carry out the evil act. We are on their trail and we will ensure that until they are arrested and brought to book, we will not rest. Government will no longer condone impunity and any culprit, no matter how highly placed or connected, will not go scot-free.”

The first explosion was said to have taken place about 11:00 a.m., while the second one went off after a 10-minute interval. Both bombs reportedly went off from two cars, which were on their way to the Eagle Square, the venue of the Independence celebration but turned back by the police.?
The blasts occurred opposite the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Federal High Court Headquarters, on Shehu Shagari Way, some 500 metres from the Eagle Square.

Police spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, in a statement named two persons suspected to be the ‘masterminds’ of the bomb blast. He gave the names of the suspects as Ben Jessy and Chima Orlu.
“By this release, they are declared wanted by the Nigerian Police, and are hereby requested to come forward and clear their names. Any person who sees them or knows their whereabouts is requested to kindly report to the nearest Police Station anywhere in the Federation of Nigeria, or send SMS to the following telephone numbers: 1. 0803-3225-349, 2. 0806-2700-000, 3. 0803-8305-707,” Ojukwu stated.

The ugly incident, he revealed, resulted in the death of 10 persons, while 36 others, including 11 policemen were seriously injured. He added that the blasts completely destroyed six cars, damaged 18 others and shattered the glasses of a hotel in the vicinity.
Okah was arrested in Angola three years ago and transferred to Nigerian custody. He was released as part of an amnesty programme offered to militants in the Niger Delta, the heart of Nigeria’s oil industry. Presently, he lives in Johannesburg. Again, he has been arrested by the South African police last Thursday in connection with the Abuja bomb blast.

MEND reportedly warned the Federal Government last Thursday that the group would strike on October 1. In an email message, MEND warned all guests, dignitaries and attendees of the golden jubilee anniversary at the Eagle Square, Abuja, to evacuate the area because “several explosive devices have been successfully planted in and around the venue by our operatives working inside the government security services. In evacuating the area, keep a safe distance from vehicles and trash bins.”

Gbomo noted that there was nothing to celebrate in the 50 years existence of Nigeria since the Niger Delta region, which produces the oil that sustains the country’s economy, has been neglected.
“There is nothing worth celebrating after 50 years of failure. For 50 years, the people of the Niger Delta have had their land and resources stolen from them. The constitution before independence, which offered resource control, was mutilated by illegal military governments and this injustice is yet to be addressed,” he maintained.



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/05/national-05-10-2010-005.htm

NA LIE, NO BE MEND DO AM
NA BOKO HARAM