| The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, “Operation Restore Hope”, yesterday warned militant leader Ateke Tom’s Niger Delta Patriotic Force (NDPF) of deadly repercussions if it made good its threat to attack oil companies. JTF, in its reaction to Tuesday’s threat by the militant group, assured oil companies and law-abiding citizens that there is “no cause for security alarm”, adding that its troops are on stand by to repel any attack. The NDPF gave oil multinationals until February 14 (Valentine’s Day) to leave the region or face massacre. The group accused the oil firms, including Shell, Intel, NLNG, Agip, and ALSCON of aiding and abetting the military, particularly the JTF, to carry out attacks on its camps. A statement by NDPF’s spokesperson, Mr. Tamunokuro Ebitari in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, named the plot as “Operation Zero Exploration.” |
Feb52009