Militants Renew Threat To Foreign Oil Workers

The Bayelsa State Government reacted by extending an olive branch to the youths once more and by evoking �the Izon wisdom�.

None of that sounds practical enough to the United States, however. It reacted by asking its citizens to leave the region immediately.

The directive by the State Department coincided with a new deadline given by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) that all foreign firms and nationals should vacate the area in another 96 hours.

This ultimatum expires midnight Friday.

The MEND has claimed responsibility for the series of attacks on oil installations in recent times, including the kidnap of four expatriates for 19 days.

It said its decision to defer action on its original February 12 deadline is �a testimonial of our sincerity to guarantee minimum casualties�.

It would be �another Armageddon for the Nigerian petroleum history.

�Administrative edifices, oil installations, vessels and production machinery shall be sabotaged, and wherever necessary, hostages shall be taken, this time to ply a poisonous jagged edged sword through the heart of Nigerian oil policies, as the case with the 50 years environmental desecration, psychological desolation, economic disenfranchisement and social depression that has been our redeeming franchise so far.

�We are hereby declaring a state of emergency on every multi-national oil industry in the Niger Delta region. At the end of 96 hours after this press release, this region is no longer safe for foreign investors and their families as MEND�s operation �Black February� shall demonstrate (its) rugged guerilla wit and dogged intelligence in hunting down every foreign feet found wild awake in the Niger Delta region�.

The militants warned embassies that �it is in the interest of their nationals to facilitate the evacuation of this oil-war zone. The battle line is drawn and we cannot be held liable for the massacre of foreign investors found within, around and about the Niger Delta region�.

When the first ultimatum was issued last week, the Federal Government urged the oil companies to ignore the threat as its security agencies have the capability to protect them.

But not wanting to take such a risk, Washington on Tuesday asked western oil companies and their nationals to pull out of Nigeria�s deep South without further delay.

The State Department justified the latest travel warning, saying: “Security conditions in the Niger Delta region have continued to deteriorate. Armed local groups have attacked oil company facilities, resulting in several deaths. In this area, the threat to expatriate oil workers of kidnapping for ransom or other objectives remains high�.

This shows that the U.S. is not impressed by the renewed security measures and assurances by Abuja.

Last week, the Federal Government took delivery of several sophisticated gunboats to patrol the area and to step up security presence.

The boats, built by an American firm, are bulletproof and fitted with radars for all-weather operations.

But, rather than provide security, Washington accused some Nigerian military personnel of aiding the criminals.

“The lack of law and order in Nigeria poses considerable risks to travellers. Violent crimes committed by ordinary criminals, as well as persons in police and military uniforms, can occur throughout the country�, the advisory said.

It urged Americans and other foreign nationals to stay away from areas around Warri because of the presence of terrorist cells.

An adamant MEND accused Bayelsa State Governor, Goodluck Jonathan, of engaging in �faceless politicking� and �discussing the economic betrayal of the Niger Delta people by the personal aggrandisement agenda of oil blocks for the principal agitators�.

It declared solidarity with the objectives of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDVF), led by Mujahideen Asari-Dokubo, saying they represent the agitation for the absolute emancipation of the Niger Delta child.

However, Jonathan�s Chief Press Secretary, Ekiyor Welson, expressed optimism that the militants would �appraise the mourning situation in Bayelsa and allow Izon wisdom to prevail�.

He pleaded: �It is not as if the government is insensitive to their threat, it is a common knowledge that � Jonathan is committed to alleviating the plight of the people of the Niger Delta of which Bayelsa is the hub.

�But, as you all know, we are in a mourning situation and the militants equally know that we have just lost an illustrious son of Izonland, an amiable Bayelsan who was a leader of the Izon Youth Council (IYC)�.