Movement for the Emanci-pation of the Niger Delta (MEND) yesterday claimed that it destroyed a major crude oil trunk line in Bayelsa State belonging to oil giant, Shell.
A statement issued by its spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, said the latest attack was in line with its campaign to cripple the entire oil and gas exports of the Federal Government.
There was however no independent confirmation of the attack as the spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) and that of Shell could not be reached.
The statement reads:”At about 2030 Hrs today, Wednesday, June 17, 2009, fighters from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in furtherance of Hurricane Piper Alpha (our campaign to cripple the entire oil and gas export of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), destroyed with high explosives a major crude oil trunk line in Bayelsa state belonging to Shell.
“This delivery line which supplies the Forcados export terminal takes feed from the Tunu, Opukusu and Ugbotubu flow stations. The point of attack is the Agge/Odimodi axis”, it said.
The statement further noted that “Piper Alpha veered off course to show its displeasure at the manner the government has reacted to the extra judicial killings of two brothers by the JTF that was caught on tape. This attack is dedicated to the brothers.
“Shell should take a cue from Chevron and vacate the Niger Delta region to avoid collateral damage to their investment and death to staff.”
We do not intend to waste time taking hostages. Hurricanes are no respecters on anyone”.
Jun182009