N’Delta youths warn MEND against further attacks
From ADEBOWALE AMINAT, Ibadan
Friday, September 4, 2009

The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) has been warned against making good its threat to resume attacks on national oil installations.
The warning handed down by the Niger Delta Youth Forum (NDYF), comes barely 11 days to the militant group’s threatened resumption of destruction of oil assets in the country.

Speaking on its behalf, the group’s South West Co-ordinator, Mr. Daniel Perela Ezekiel, said youths in the region were tired of violence as an option towards solving the crisis in light of the amnesty granted erstwhile militants.

According to the youth leader, the government’s gesture was worth considering towards ensuring peace, which is much needed for development of the zone.
The Forum warned that should MEND carry out its threat NDYF would be forced to mount a ferocious campaign for the extradition of the militants’ leader, Henry Okah from South Africa , where he is believed to be receiving medical treatment.

“We cannot allow the entire people and the peace process to be held to ransom by some of our gun-wielding brothers.
‘They should allow the fundamental issues to be settled. The way they are going, they are more of the clog in the wheel of progress.
“If they refuse our call, we’ll equally mount a ferocious campaign for the repatriation of Henry Okah, because, he cannot set our region on fire, while he is enjoying with his family in South Africa .
“Our people are complaining of development in Niger-Delta, there is no how development can place in the midst of chaos and war.”

Perela enjoined the recalcitrant militants to emulate General Boyloaf who has embraced the amnesty deal.
He disclosed, however that some of the repentant’ militants in Ondo, Edo and Delta states were complaining about the distance of the arms collection centre to where they resided.
“Most of our members in Ondo, Edo and Delta states are ready to surrender their arms and accept the amnesty but most of state governors are not ready to assist our people because the collection centre is too far. Dr. Agary, Presidential Committee on amnesty should talk to those governors to facilitate the disarmament process in the affected states.”