MEND Claims It Attacked An NNPC Depot In Abaji, Abuja
Ask Petroleum Minister To Resign Over Corruption And Ineptitude
PPMC Says No Attacks On Its Abaji Depot
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND today claims it attacked a fuel tanker at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot in Abaji as the group also demanded the immediate resignation of Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Allison Deziani-Madueke over what it termed brazen corruption being perpetrated by the oil minister.
According to statement issued by MEND spokespersons, Jomo Gbomo read thus; “Hurricane Exodus’ resumed at about 00:05Hrs on Saturday, June 15, 2013, when field operatives from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), stealthily attached portable military limpet explosives magnetically to two (2) articulated tanker vehicles laden with petrol in a queue outside the NNPC depot in Abaji, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Speaking further the spokesperson said; “The devices were timed to detonate simultaneously several seconds later. The outcome was predictable. This segment of exodus codenamed ‘Operation Touch and Go’ is targeted at the soft underbelly (downstream sector) of the oil industry in Nigeria. From today, every tanker vehicle we find distributing petroleum products including propane gas has become a legitimate target in our war against injustice, corruption, despotism and oppression”.
“Drivers of tanker vehicles continue to drive them at their own risk. The public is hereby advised to maintain a safe distance from such vehicles as they can explode anytime and anywhere. Harassment on these tanker vehicles would be sustained until the following demands are met; Henry Okah, his brother Charles, and other innocent persons set up as scapegoats and held over the October 01, 2010 twin car bombings in Abuja be released unconditionally,” MEND said.
The group said; “That an unreserved apology be tendered by the Nigerian government to MEND for presenting a forged email letter threatening the South African government purported to have originated from us and used as evidence in the sham trial and conviction of Henry Okah. That a separate independent body outside Nigeria investigates the forged letter so as to ascertain its authenticity and make their findings public. That the corrupt and inept Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke resigns as Minister of Petroleum.”
Meanwhile the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC dispelled the claim by MEND, as it said there was no incident at its fuel depot in Abuja.
