[size=15pt]MEND declares ceasefire in Niger Delta[/size]

From Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt),
Tunji Omofoye (Osogbo) and
Seye Olumide (Lagos)

AFTER one week of sustained attacks on oil facilities in Rivers State, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has announced a ceasefire following intervention by some Ijaw leaders in the Niger Delta.

Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force (JTF) whose attack on MEND bases and seven Tombia communities penultimate Saturday triggered militant attacks and the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) have welcomed the development.

MEND spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, yesterday announced that the militants who had attacked over six oil and gas facilities belonging to mainly Shell Petroleum Development Company and Chevron since September 13 have decided to downgrade the oil war code-named 'Hurricane Barbarossa' to a state of alert code-named "Tropical Storm Vigilant."

His words: "After one week of intense lopsided fighting and an unprecedented sabotage on the oil industry prompted by an unprovoked attack on one of our positions, including indiscriminate attacks on civilian communities, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) will downgrade the oil war code-named Hurricane Barbarossa to a state of alert code-named "Tropical Storm Vigilant."

Gbomo explained that MEND's cessation of hostility was due mainly to intervention and passionate pleas by Ijaw leaders like Chief Edwin K. Clark, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, Senator David Brigidi and no others.

According to Gbomo, "Effective 0100 Hrs, September 21, 2008, exactly one week we launched our reprisal, MEND will begin a unilateral ceasefire till further notice. During this time, the International Red Cross alone will be allowed access to retrieve the bloated floating bodies of several soldiers to avoid an epidemic."

MEND explained that it decided to stop further attacks even at a time of victory over the military and alleged utter helplessness of the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta. MEND, however cautioned that it only speaks for itself and would not vouch for the other angry groups that aligned with it during the one-week of persistent attacks on oil facilities.

He said: "We hope that the military has learnt a bitter lesson. The next unprovoked attack will start another oil war that will be so ferocious that it will dim the pleas of the elders. That blood oil war will come in the form of another hurricane and its devastation and mode of operation will be different from what was seen with Barbarossa."

The country may have been losing about 300,000 barrels daily of its crude oil output following MEND attacks. Due to the severity of the attacks, Shell was forced to declare force majeure on Nigeria's oil export.

JTF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, described MEND's gesture as good for the militants, the Niger Delta region, the nation and the international community.

He explained that the military was disposed to the amicable resolution of the crisis in the region and would continue to monitor situation on ground to ascertain that MEND was genuine.

According to him: "At the JTF level, we will continue to carefully and firmly monitor the situation, exercise limited level of restraint until MEND's new position is seen to have been actualised. We are open to the amicable resolution of this in-house crisis, hoping it is not going to be another tactical deception, which we are used to and are already prepared to contain."

Similarly, Prof. Kimse Okoko has lauded the militants for heeding to the pleas of Ijaw leaders and well-meaning Nigerians.

The Ijaw leader, who had bemoaned the JFT's action that triggered the week-long crisis, has urged the military to reciprocate MEND's gesture by halting all military offensives in the region.

According to him: "Military bombardment is not the way to resolve the crisis in the Niger Delta; if you kill all the militants now, others will rise up. Even if you bomb all the militant camps, others will rise up for sure."

Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Osun State Governor, has also appealed to militants in the Niger Delta to sheathe their swords in the overall interest and development of the zone.

He said the problem of the area was receiving more attention by the Federal Government with the creation of a separate ministry by President Umaru Yar'Adua to cater for the special needs of people in the area.

Speaking yesterday at an event tagged "2008 Veteran Walk for Peace" in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the governor noted that the much desired development in the area would be difficult to achieve in view of the renewed violence and called on the militant groups to give peace a chance.

The governor also called on leaders in the area to use their position by prevailing on the militant groups to toe the path of peace to enable the Niger Delta Ministry function properly and fulfill its mandates.

And the new High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Mr. Mahesh Sachdev, has suggested speedy social development plans of the Niger Delta as a way to bring a quick solution to ongoing crisis in the area.

He also suggested solid empowerment programmes that could translate into viable employment opportunity for the youths with transfer of technology and infrastructural development.

Speaking during a reception party held in his honour at Victoria Island, Lagos, by members of Indian Universities Alumni Association, Lagos over the weekend, Sachdev noted that India was much concerned about the Niger Delta crisis and is ready to assist the country in anyway possible that would bring lasting solution to the issue.

"My view is that the restive youths should be empowered while massive infrastructural development with transfer of technology should be put in place," he said.

The High Commissioner described the relationship between the two countries as a very cordial one that has translated into solid economic, social and political development over the years.

"Nigeria-India relationship is an excellent one that is based on shared values. It has translated into viable economic, social and political partnership. I can say that our relationship with Nigeria is one of the best all over the world. The two communities have come to appreciate each other with cultural values."

The President of the alumni, Mr. Moses Omorogbe, in his speech enjoined the High Commissioner to encourage India to join other nations in further exploring into the Nigerian oil and gas sector, including establishment of refineries.

According to him: "We do know that there is some level of professional efficiency in the way things work in India, like the transport sector, power and energy sector, manufacturing, educational, agricultural and water resources management sectors and indeed the Indian economy. We would like to see India collaborating with Nigeria in these sectors.

From Calabar, the Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, has called on youths in the area to give peace a chance. He made the appeal at the opening of a three-day workshop on National Peace Building and Conflict Resolution at the weekend, warning that if current situation of kidnap, street gangsters and other vices continue, nothing meaningful can be gained.

The minister who spoke through the Director of Networks & Social Mobilisation, Mr. Dauda Kigbu, said the current trend in the Niger Delta will impede both development in the region and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

source:
http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article03//indexn2_html?pdate=220908&ptitle=MEND%20declares%20ceasefire%20in%20Niger%20Delta
http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=123173

e be like say mend bullet don finish

Make Army go on the offensive, make them use this opportunity wey dem don weaken mend to repossess mend weapon.

Remember russia vs georgia?

call for ceasefire in public and continue military action for hiding.

how wouldnt MEND cease fire with the number of casualties they suffered(believe me i know).

DRANOEL:

how wouldnt MEND cease fire with the number of casualties they suffered(believe me i know).

Tell me more

JTF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, described MEND's gesture as good for the militants, the Niger Delta region, the nation and the international community.

He explained that the military was disposed to the amicable resolution of the crisis in the region and would continue to monitor situation on ground to ascertain that MEND was genuine.

According to him: "At the JTF level, we will continue to carefully and firmly monitor the situation, exercise limited level of restraint until MEND's new position is seen to have been actualised. We are open to the amicable resolution of this in-house crisis, hoping it is not going to be another tactical deception, which we are used to and are already prepared to contain."


It seems like JTF are happy to have the ceasefire. . . .they must have suffered as well despite claims to the contrary.

one day we would see THE END to all these cartoon shaaa

Both sides have probably suffered casualties.
But it seems to me like MEND have suffered more than the JTF.
Na person wey suffer pass na im dey first call for Cease Fire.
MEND are buying time to re-strategize and recover from the beating they've probably taken from the JTF. And are lacing their 'beating' with tough words.

not exactly sure what Ibime wants to hear from JTF.

Am not sure it makes sense for 21st century Nigerian Army to celebrate killing any Nigerian, so no matter what success JTF records in the Niger-Delta they can only give a measured response.

These guys were trained to protect our territorial integrity so if they ever get to come against any group of Nigerians, they just have to regret it cos its a no win situation for Nigeria as a whole.

McKren:

not exactly sure what Ibime wants to hear from JTF.

Am not sure it makes sense for 21st century Nigerian Army to celebrate killing any Nigerian, so no matter what success JTF records in the Niger-Delta they can only give a measured response.

These guys were trained to protect our territorial integrity so if they ever get to come against any group of Nigerians, they just have to regret it because its a no win situation for Nigeria as a whole.

goodman

@ post
  From a nations point of view, a situation like this should not be dealt with with kid's gloves, Dialogue is good as some people try to canvass, but that wont solve the problem without some form of very tough military control, as most of the militants are more of criminals now than freedom fighters, it is no news that is now some form of business, THE SOLUTION FROM MY CHESS ' the ancient game of tactics wisdom' is that, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXERT ALL MILITARY FORCE, AND DECLARE AN OPERATION WITH OWN CODE NAME, DEPLORE ITS FULL MILITARY MIGHT , FULL SCALE AND COMB EVERY CORNER OF THE CREEK, ALL THE MILITANTS BASE WHICH I BELIEVE THEY KNOW, DISARM ALL OF THEM AND WEAKEN IF NOT TOTALLY SEEK AND DESTROY using fire spitting jets air raids and full scale war if neccessary, OPERATION CRUSH THE MILITANTS TOTALLY, AFTER THAT


 stage 2
  HAVING DONE THIS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD THEN SETTLE FOR DIALOGUE   NOT WITH MILITANTS NOW BUT WITH PROPER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITIES, AND CREATE A PROPER ROAD MAP TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENTIRE NIGER DELTA AREA, IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURE, poverty  reduction and giving the entire region what they deserve, if the force does not come before the olive branch, the many groups will only become more criminal at the end and there will be no solution!!

That was a very lovely and unbiased contribution there.

What type of victory is MEND claiming? Is it normal victory or victory due to the fact that they were able to blow up pipelines? If they can actually achieve normal victory over the JTF, then there is serious problem in Nigeria.

You have to understand that MEND is not the problem but rather the elite of the region who has failed in their responsibilities to provide the basic amenities for people why on the seat of power. At least we have had pas NDDC chair man and NNPC director to be from the region. The past governor what did they do with the funds allocated to them.

Sometimes we all blame mend but i don’t for one reason what was the government doing before it degenerated to this state. is like your child at home you fail to give him food and every day he cries for it on day he won’t he will seek another means to get the food even if you will beat him he doesn’t care as long as he gets back to you.

Niger delta situation is accumulative anger from time till date. After the killings of ogoni nine why didn’t the government move in to do something about it then? They fail to do so now it has degenerated to something else and everybody is blaming the youth there.

If this people should cease fire today and government take over control wiping out the militant believe with the same corrupt leader on the seat of power the people won’t get anything. The situation will continue what we need is for every state to control their resources in the real state of federalism not what we have now. if this is done then if mend or any youth organisation want to kill their leaders for not providing for them then it is up to that state and its people, not one region holding the full nation to ransom because some greedy leaders won’t say the truth and do what is right at the right time.

why should JTF respect ceasefire?
chei!!! They should just employ me to lead the army for a week.
I'll carry the remaining soldiers in the south, north, west and east to the Niger Delta to kill them finish.
what nonsence!!

Let them continue killing them
cease fire ko, increase fire.
awon mad people

chessguru:

 @ post
  From a nations point of view, a situation like this should not be dealt with with kid's gloves, Dialogue is good as some people try to canvass, but that wont solve the problem without some form of very tough military control, as most of the militants are more of criminals now than freedom fighters, it is no news that is now some form of business, THE SOLUTION FROM MY CHESS ' the ancient game of tactics wisdom' is that, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXERT ALL MILITARY FORCE, AND DECLARE AN OPERATION WITH OWN CODE NAME, DEPLORE ITS FULL MILITARY MIGHT , FULL SCALE AND COMB EVERY CORNER OF THE CREEK, ALL THE MILITANTS BASE WHICH I BELIEVE THEY KNOW, DISARM ALL OF THEM AND WEAKEN IF NOT TOTALLY SEEK AND DESTROY using fire spitting jets air raids and full scale war if neccessary, OPERATION CRUSH THE MILITANTS TOTALLY, AFTER THAT


 stage 2
  HAVING DONE THIS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD THEN SETTLE FOR DIALOGUE   NOT WITH MILITANTS NOW BUT WITH PROPER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMUNITIES, AND CREATE A PROPER ROAD MAP TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENTIRE NIGER DELTA AREA, IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURE, poverty  reduction and giving the entire region what they deserve, if the force does not come before the olive branch, the many groups will only become more criminal at the end and there will be no solution!!

  the federal government need not give them[b] (the elders/elite[/b])cash or allow them have access to the funds before developing the region, there are ways to enforce development if they want to, they will. there are ways to sideline the bad trend since we now know,

tkb417:

why should JTF respect ceasefire?
chei!!! They should just employ me to lead the army for a week.
I'll carry the remaining soldiers in the south, north, west and east to the Niger Delta to kill them finish.
what nonsence!!

Let them continue killing them
cease fire ko, increase fire.
awon mad people

We not at any civil war. they are only aggrieve youth. where are you from ota because it is only ota citizen that reason that way. like they did in odi

Amingo sharrap der
who says we are not at civil war? Those guys have been killing people since day one.
Ok , tell me what an aggrieved youth will be doing with guns?
Do they wanna use the guns to kill fowls and cattles? NO, humans of course
They have declared war the day they started der rubbish fight

In a way, i feel for the Niger Delta people
I am one of those who support the 40% derivation but will never support what the militants are doing.
as it is now, if that region is given the 40%, most of it will be used in buying guns.
Let them be cleared and let fresh breeze blow

CEASE wetin? COWARDS!
Let the war continue and lets see if any yeye militant will remain in the creeks, Nonsense!

the truth is dat if u kill dem some pple willl learn shrp shrp

Believe me or not, the problem of the Niger Delta is the so-called elders and leaders of the region. They tend to push people (not their siblings sha) to do the movement which I believe is selfish.They collect resources and tend to say they are trying hard to develop the region or help the people who are dis-advanted but they just pocket them.If the FG want sto develop the region forget all these so called elders or leaders and use direct form of development which can be achieved.
For the militant ceasing fire, the question to be asked is can an a fly kill an elephant? (Can MEND fight the FG and win,I doubt)

Just ave a look these links.

http://elendureports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=685&Itemid=1

http://elendureports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=691&Itemid=1

She d fools think de can fight d military let dem continue lets see hw far de can still go with dia unxperinced soldiers, limited evrything plus no commad n control.
Infact JTF should crush dem to ashes.
How I wish to be d JTF commander.

tkb417:

Amingo sharrap der
who says we are not at civil war? Those guys have been killing people since day one.
Ok , tell me what an aggrieved youth will be doing with guns?
Do they want to use the guns to kill fowls and cattles? NO, humans of course
They have declared war the day they started der rubbish fight

In a way, i feel for the Niger Delta people
I am one of those who support the 40% derivation but will never support what the militants are doing.
as it is now, if that region is given the 40%, most of it will be used in buying guns.
Let them be cleared and let fresh breeze blow

My barunda reason my observation

as it is now, if that region is given the 40%, most of it will be used in buying guns.
Let them be cleared and let fresh breeze blow

not just the militant both the like of Odili Ibori and rest who started the finacing of these group for political gains

My barunda reason my observation

SM i dey reason ur observation but those twerps need to be weeded out

not just the militant both the like of Odili Ibori and rest who started the finacing of these group for political gains

ure very correct. The reason why der is so much animosity in the land is cos the elders in the land have syphoned all that were initially allocated to the land
Ompadec, nddc, ndic are all failed projects. None of those bodies ever performed to the level expected of them.
They were just conduit pipes in which funds were diverted to some funny uses.

In as much as the Government of NGR isnt doing much to ameliorate the situations in the Niger Delta, the little that was done wouldnt be evident cos all the community leaders are rogues!!!

tkb417:

SM i dey reason ur observation but those twerps need to be weeded out
ure very correct. The reason why der is so much animosity in the land is because the elders in the land have syphoned all that were initially allocated to the land
Ompadec, nddc, ndic are all failed projects. None of those bodies ever performed to the level expected of them.
They were just conduit pipes in which funds were diverted to some funny uses.

In as much as the Government of NGR isnt doing much to ameliorate the situations in the Niger Delta, the little that was done wouldnt be evident because all the community leaders are rogues!!!

Amingo you reason well

I think its this cease fire that always give them time to reorganise after a major assault by the military. Believe me when I say they would come roaring again in a couple of months

i recommend JTF continues the assualt,these rogues want development but are not giving room for it. if its possible i recommend the full weight of the military on them(much more than what happened in odi and zaki biam). cease fire ke? let them continue,are they not the ones always running to the press to claim they have the upper hand/

Corosive:

I think its this cease fire that always give them time to reorganise after a major assault by the military. Believe me when I say they would come roaring again in a couple of months

I support u.

DRANOEL:

i recommend JTF continues the assualt,these rogues want development but are not giving room for it. if its possible i recommend the full weight of the military on them(much more than what happened in odi and zaki biam). cease fire ke? let them continue,are they not the ones always running to the press to claim they have the upper hand/

You r correct.

In the art of war, one very good point to know is how to deal with the enemy. The same principle is supported in the Laws of Power, the principle is simple: Destroy The Enemy Totally.

In this case, the question is who is the enemy.

Yes MEND, but wait before you conclude. Have you been to Abuja, the nation's capital and been to Bayelsa State. Can you compare kaduna, kano and Sokoto states to Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states. These guys have been negleted for so long. They have been pushed to the wall. Even a goat will turn back at you when it gets to the wall.

The JTF, no I don't still agree with you. For all you care, there is a soldier in the JTF whose brother is a MEND. For all you care, there are soldiers here who are in this war only because they don't have any other means of feeding their family.

So who is the enemy, who should be detroyed totally, I'll tell you

The Senator who earns millions for doing almost nothing and still is greedy enough to embezle the money for his constituency.
The Minister who prefers to keep the money in his bank account than build one, just one good school
The Governor who rather builds castles in UK than provide for his fellow countryman
The Elder who keeps quite because of a meager 1million naira, when 200million should have been given to his people
The Local Government Chairman, who wears a 2million naira wrist watch, at the expense of his subordinates

These people are the real enemy, not MEND, not JTF. Now they want to see to the crisis, it could have been avoided, lives could have been saved. If you watch the movie The Rock(Nicholas Cage & Sean Connery), The president's speech before he authorised Alcatraz to be melted down is true here also

They didnt listen when it matters. They brought these upon us and the thousands of innocent souls that have been lost

The JTF have done right. Even if they are winning, who are they winning against?

exactly!!! Make JTF accept the ceasefire in public

But continue their assault on all militant position.

We have just one army and that army must triumph

The  Bastards are only lookin for tym to reorg.

Both sides seems to have suffered losses, with mend on the receiving end. For every militant killed, 10 are ready to take his place. The readiness of the army to accept the cease fire suggest battle weariness, its a lose-lose situation

I dont think the use of force can settle the Niger Delta problem. There are thousands of kilometres of pipeline spread all over the area with several installations, no army in the world can protect it. Any mad man can just walk into the bush and blow up the pipeline. Somehow you need to engage the people and find a political solution.

The USA employs the same strategy in Iraq