Militants yesterday raised an alarm that the military in the Niger Delta has commenced retaliatory attacks on Ijaw settlements over the killing of about 14 soldiers in two separate clashes as they allegedly attacked Elem-Sangana near Soku in Rivers State .
A source disclosed that what the soldiers said was a minor search operation for militants has turned out to be a major offensive against them, warning that they may have to come of out of their shells to also fight back.
THISDAY, however, learnt that the zone, at the Asari-Toru and Akuku-Toru axis, which has allegedly come under attack was a hot base of militants and that this may have informed the raid.
Attempts to speak with Major Musa Segir, the Army Public Relations Officer who has assured that they were not going to carry out a retaliatory attack earlier proved abortive as his phones rang without an answer.
As at press time, there was no news of the number of casualties so far on the side of the Ijaw settlements raided by the soldiers on the suspicion that they were harbouring militants, who launch attacks on them from such bases.
A statement by the Movement for the Defence of Niger Delta (MEND) asked all oil companies to pull out of the region or risk major attacks on them, which may include taking hostages.
The group stated that one of its demands was for the release of Alhaji Asari Dokubo from detention, adding that delay in conceding to its request would elicit increase in attacks, which they would from time to time, suspend to adopt new strategies.
�As it seems, we are being forced to act ahead of our planned major strike on the Nigerian oil industry. Operators of facilities in Rivers state are advised to evacuate their staff from such locations with immediate effect. For long, we have advertised that we will no longer take hostages in attacks on oil installations. We will not go back on that pledge.
�In addition, we will commence with a number of strategic attacks on targets of relevance. This will commence with effect from today and will increase in severity depending on the response from the Nigerian military,� they threatened.
Also yesterday, a body, Free Asari Campaign Organisation (FACO) has called for his unconditional release as a prelude to any meaningful dialogue for peace in the region and the country in general.
The group, led by a popular Niger Delta advocate, Ms Annkio Briggs said that justice and fair play would be enhanced by the release, warning that not even the militarisation of the region can achieve peace.
She called on Governors of the Niger Delta States to mount an effective campaign for his release not only to ensure the well being of Dokubo but also to ensure that the dignity of the Niger Delta people were not only respected but restored while attending to their needs.
Miss Briggs also condemned hostage taking as violating the fundamental rights of those affected as there was nowhere in the world that taking a man against his will to any location could be excused.
�The Ijaws are peaceful people and we realize that the Nigerian nation has a population of 130 million people, of which the Ijaw nation is a part. Any major crisis in the Niger Delta can destabilize the West African sub-region and global peace. The international community and the Nigerian authorities must therefore come to terms with the reality of the situation in the Niger Delta.
�Borne out of frustration and despair, a generation of people has been pushed to the extreme of its patience and it seems every opportunity for dialogue has been frustrated by the authorities. This forum offers a new opportunity for the oppressed and frustrated peoples of the Niger Delta so that we can altogether build a new culture, a new peace and a secured future for ourselves and our children�, she reasoned.
They demanded for the restoration of the rights of the people over the environment and resources; right to self determination; recognition of declarations in the area which was a mark of self determination and the unconditional release of Asari Dokubo.