A group has rejected the Federal Government�s proposal to use militant to protect oil installation.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said the proposal was “laughable”.
It said the plan would undermine the government�s case against its lender Henry Okah, who is being tried for alleged treasonable felony.
Okah�s secret trial has led MEND to renew attacks on oil installations in the Niger Delta.
The group claimed that Okah is innocent of the charges preferred against him and that he was set up.
Okah and one Edward Atatah were arrested in Angola in September last year for alleged gun-running.
They were extradited on February 14 and taken to custody by the government.
On Tuesday, Defence Minister Ahmed Yayale told the House of Representatives Committee on Defence that in the interest of peace, the government was planning to use militant s to guard oil facilities.
In its objection e-mailed to reporters, MEND said:
“We wonder what Okah�s share will be in �MEND Co. Ltd� since he is on trial for funding and equipping the same militants the government now wants to engage.
“The MEND rejects the desperate and laughable proposal offered by the government,” the group said.
Defense Ministry officials were not immediately available for comment.