The on-going face-off between militants and the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Okrika Local Government Local Government of Rivers State has provoked the declaration of a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the area.
But the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has promised to let peace reign during the Christmas festivities.
This is coming at a time the curfew previously declared by the government from midnight till dawn is still subsisting. It was dusk-to-dawn at the beginning until the new administration reviewed it to start from midnight.
Announced by the secretary to the state government, Magnus Abbe, the curfew came just as the Okrika militant leader, Ateke Tom, is giving the state government seven days to rebuild his burnt home and also return his property that were allegedly looted by the JTF.
Tom�s home was raided by men of the JTF when it was suspected that perceived criminals were using the place as a hide-out, from where they would go for bunkering activities and other cult-related acts.
Although the JTF denied going away with any cash after the raid, Tom is insisting the men took away N5.6 million from his house before setting it ablaze and wants the state government to refund the money and begin the rebuilding of his house within seven days.
He said in a statement that if the government failed to meet the demand, he would launch more attacks in the region.
During the week, Tom had claimed responsibility for the carnage in Okrika, which led to the killing of soldiers and some staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), apart from the Okrika Local Government Council headquarters that was also set ablaze.
Meanwhile, the MEND has promised to allow for a ceasefire during the Christmas festivities.
MEND�s spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, said in an electronic mail on Saturday that there would be no kidnapping of oil expatriates, in the spirit of Christmas.
“Cessation of hostilities and kidnap of oil workers can be guaranteed during this time frame,” he said, adding that white men and women could move around town freely and enjoy Christmas to the fullest without fear of being captured.
Dec302007