[size=14pt]Our bombs were not planted to kill – MEND
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http://www.nigeriannewsservice.com/news-blocks/our-bombs-were-not-planted-to-kill-–-mend

[size=14pt]Our bombs were not planted to kill – MEND
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The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has said that the twin bombings in Abuja on Friday were not programmed to kill anyone.


MEND, in e-mail exclusive interviews with THE PUNCH on Monday evening, blamed the deaths on the State Security Service and other security agencies whom it said treated its “forewarning” with levity.



[size=13pt]“We asked them to keep the public away from cars ,  We were surprised that the security agencies ignored our forewarning and treated it with levity,” the group’s spokesman, Mr. Jomo Gbomo, said in the first phase of the interview.[/size]



MEND had claimed responsibility for the bombings which left 14 people dead and 66 others injured on a day Nigeria celebrated its 50th independence anniversary.



President Goodluck Jonathan had on Saturday, distanced the group from the attacks and blamed it on “members of a small terrorist group outside the country who were sponsored by unpatriotic elements within the country.”



MEND leader, Mr. Henry Okah, was arrested in South Africa shortly after the bomb blasts.



He was arraigned in a Johnannesburg court on Monday for “contravening the Protection Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act.”



Okah denied the charge and his alleged involvement in the Abuja blasts.

[size=13pt]The interview with Gbomo ran thus:[/size]

What is the nature of the warnings you gave to the Federal Government days before the bombings?

We passed the warning through our contacts in the SSS informing them we planned to carry out a symbolic attack during the ceremony. As it was not intended to kill, there would be no projectiles inside the cars.
We asked them to keep the public away from cars after they hear the first explosion which would not be as powerful as the remaining (one).

What was the response?

The Director-General, of the SSS tried to make contacts with those they believed could help stop the plan from going ahead because they admitted that they had no response for that sort of attack.
Okah also tried to persuade us to abort the attack. He said that he was contacted by the SSS to intervene. We explained to him that the attack was symbolic and it was not intended to cause any casualties.
We were surprised that the security agencies ignored our forewarning and treated it with levity. We had to give another warning again on the day of the attack after our operatives informed us they had successfully breached security.

How did foreign intelligence agencies get wind of your plan?
I have no idea. I believe that they work on probability and profiling. Knowing that we took advantage in Warri, to make a statement, it is only common sense to suspect the independence event with full international and local media coverage is an opportunity we will find irresistible.
Is it true that the bombings were in retaliation for the murder of Soboma George, who was alleged to be planning to kill someone close to President Jonathan?

It had nothing to do with the killing of George.

Okah has denied involvement in the bombings but he is being described as the mastermind. How do you react to that?

We find the accusations that Okah is the mastermind as incredible as the purported arrests the police are claiming

There are reports that Majaheedeen Asari-Dokubo sponsored the attacks and that they were planned in Rivers State. How do you react to that?

[size=13pt]That is not true. Asari-Dokubo has no affiliation with MEND[/size]

Don‘t you think the bombings and killing of innocent people will wipe away any iota of sympathy for the Niger Delta struggle?

The death of civilians is regrettable. However, the struggle continues. It may certainly reduce our sympathy base but the success of our campaign is not directly related to the number of passive sympathisers although it is nice to know many people sympathise with ones cause.

You said MEND carried out the attacks but President Jonathan has said it is not MEND but terrorists. How do you react to that?
We have taken responsibility and have no further comments.

Will this development not affect the peace initiative of Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka

It should not. Instead it should make the government take our demands seriously.

The President has said that his ascension to the Presidency is an indication that things will improve in the Niger Delta. So, why do you sustain a campaign of violence when you have a Niger Deltan in power?

Talk is cheap. The actions we are expecting from him is yet to be seen. He has not initiated dialogue where the root issues affecting the region would be addressed.

Today (Monday) marks the first anniversary of the amnesty proclamation. Don‘t you think it is in the best interest of Niger Delta people you claim to represent for you to embrace amnesty and press your demands in a non-violent way?


The amnesty is a scam and the majority of individuals in the so-called rehabilitation camps are hired miscreants. We can not be a part of the scam.
The fact that we are armed does not mean we abuse it. We are open to dialog but will keep our weapons until the issues have been addressed.

Why is it so difficult to dialogue with these guys?

They said thier Bombs were not planted to kill,So were planted to do what . To scare ppl

D-sense:

They said thier Bombs were not planted to kill,So were planted to do what . To scare ppl

C'mon mehn. You and I both know that the bombs were suppose to be a part of the celebration fireworks.

This interview was clear as the sky. The bomb blast was meant to be symbolic, security agencies were informed and they did nothing to prevent civilian casualties, Jonathan tried to exonerate MEND and turn it to a political tool against opponents. What more does one need to fully comprehend this whole drama?

It’s because we fail to comprehend simply things like this that’s why this country is in a mess.

OP

Your source is no longer active. Would have love to know who interviewed 'Gbomo' and if there is any evidence of this interview.

I dont know why i find it difficult to believe this interview is true.

[size=13pt]Author: Steve Okogie
Published: 21hrs, 22min ago
Source: The Punch[/size]


http://tribunengrworld.com/punch-our-bombs-were-not-planted-to-kill-mend-2557391.htm

Lameness from Mend. They can go to hell. The govt should go to war with them. Send every soldier there.

Yeah, the same Government that made itself SPOKESPERSON for MEND almost immediately after the bombing?

Our bombs were not planted to kill – MEND

Not at all, they were meant to be independence day fireworks.

^^^ . Na real fireworks in deed, to add colour to the ocassion .

Bloody terrorists.

http://www.pointblanknews.com/News/os3912.html

Talk is cheap. The actions we are expecting from him is yet to be seen. He has not initiated dialogue where the root issues affecting the region would be addressed.

This is a clear message to all the selfish NDs who are blindly supporting GEJ. Jonathan in his declaration speech mentioned nothing specifically to address the issue affecting his region neither has he any intention to resume dialogue Yaradua his predecessor started for over 100days in office. All he is busy doing is trying to win himself another 4years in powers.

Someone asked a question which people has failed to answer, is what MEND asking for too big for our government to meet them? Is very easy for a child to hold his father responsible for his misfortunes. Jonathan will receive the highest disaster from MEND he called his people more than any other president from other region, if he failed to solve the problem once and for all.

princekevo:

This is a clear message to all the selfish NDs who are blindly supporting GEJ. Jonathan in his declaration speech mentioned nothing specifically to address the issue affecting his region neither has he any intention to resume dialogue Yaradua his predecessor started for over 100days in office. All he is busy doing is trying to win himself another 4years in powers.

Someone asked a question which people has failed to answer, is what MEND asking for too big for our government to meet them? Is very easy for a child to hold his father responsible for his misfortunes. Jonathan will receive the highest disaster from MEND he called his people more than any other president from other region, if he failed to solve the problem once and for all.

You are spot on.
This whole problem can be settled within weeks in a round table with MEND.
But why are we not looking at that option?
Is it pride?

the real recognised comanders of fomer mend members has aleady said that ogbomo does not existe,
so there that interview is fake.
the stupid okah should name the jonathan aids that previousley spoke with him,
this stupid guy must have been figthen for A PESONAL INTEREST that has not been fullfilled to him
and therefore taking it personal figthing against this govt and no it has surely backfire him and his god fathers

I feel Gbomo and his cronies are struggling for relevance now after collecting whooping sum of $100M USD to kill innocent Nigerian for some political elites that threatened the peace of Nigeria after they witnessed the mammoth declaration of Jonathan for the Presidency. We don't really sit back to analyse situations very well. Henry Okah do not have much regards for Jonathan because when they were in charge in the Niger-delta who was GEJ? So they see him as a non entity and will do anything within their power to discredit his government and ambition.
Remember MEND was a brain child of Peter Odili who created all sort of restive groups to eliminate political opponents. Dikibo , Harry marshal and many others were slaughtered by Odili and these so called MEND group. Remember same Odili is currently working hand in hand with IBB. Remember that Asari Dokubo once flared when they said he was a bunker and alleged that the political class of Nigeria are the once who are neck deep into oil bunkering on the same aljeezera.
Remember that Ibori who thought he was invincible is cooling off in dubia cell and we all know how benignant he was with public fund in terms of settling and sponsoring some of these groups.

If we piece all these information together would we not think it is possible for IBB to be the mastermind of unfolding current events in Nigeria? They are playing their cards from old political cook books used elsewhere in America and Europe during the cold war. This is why we cannot exonerate the fingers of older generation who are nothing but corky and cunning at all times. I personally think that IBB and his generation are a disgrace to this country.
Go to the north and see if these old elites are famous or popular. The new thinking in the north is that all old political bloc should retire or offer elderly advice than participate in electoral processes in the 21st century. The average northerner is poor and ignorant. Only a handful of them are properly educated especially the upper elite class whose towns and villages are named after their ancestral fathers’ names.   
I can easily relate to Ribadu’s ideological posture and what he has shown over time to stand for. Beyond propaganda and fear mongering, what do an IBB or Atiku stand for talkless of Gasua who feels IBB and Abacha outsmarted him in a mutually agreed arrangement by the trio to govern Nigeria for fifteen years. Who do these northern elders represent; their pockets or subjugated masses of the northern region?
Effectively a Jonathan stepping into power will encourage the average man to aspire to do something for this country. We have admonished him for lavish 50th year celebration. Do we know the budget for presidential inauguration ceremony since 1999? Where do we see Nigeria in the next one year?
In all we do or say, beware of the manipulative powers of the insider that is standing with the enemy (the fifth columnist).

the bombs were not planted to kill?




anyway, i don talk am say sebi jonathan no dey home the day they bombed his house.

in any case, none of this will bring the dead people back.

Igwe.:

if MEND is furious with jonathan over the non implementation of the amnesty deal, why not take personal with in his home town? on the other hand, if mend is responsible for it and claimed that okah urged them not to do it, then okah knows something about this mend that we don't know.

If Bomb was not planted to kill, why didn't they plant it inside the bush or something?

May I suggest you get caught up on what has been happening in your own country? if MEND is furious with Jonathan . . . please.

Bombs don't kill people, people kill people.


That should be the new slogan for bomb makers.

jumobi1:

Lameness from Mend. They can go to hell. The govt should go to war with them. Send every soldier there.

For where? They ended up being absorbed and forgiven by Presido himself 18hrs after the deal is done and later got invitation to have coffee in the Villa with a TV reality show on NTA tagged - "its not MEND"