The group in a
statement on Tuesday noted that reprisal by the military and the damage to the
political, socio and economic lives of the people, especially in Ijaw
communities were worrisome.
The statement signed
by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, however, reminded communities habouring
members of the NDA that their areas were not protected by the principles of
international or municipal laws during conflict period.
The statement read,
“Equally of grave concern to MEND is the disproportionate use of force and the
sheer unimaginable dimension of the ongoing Nigerian military onslaught in the
Niger Delta region and the attendant collateral damage done to the political,
social and economic lives of the ordinary people, especially in the Ijaw
communities.
“While we commiserate
with the affected persons, families and communities, we seize this opportunity
to call on the international community as well as the National Emergency
Management Agency to dispatch relief materials to the region, as a matter of
utmost priority.
“MEND notes with grave
concern the recent renewed spate of unprovoked and persistent attacks on
Nigeria’s oil installations by the Niger Delta Avengers; many of whom were MEND
commanders and fighters who jumped on the Presidential Amnesty gravy train
without knowing why they took up arms in the first place.
“However, we hereby
remind our communities who harbour criminals such as members of the NDA that
their communities are not protected by the extant principles of international
and/or municipal law during a conflict; even as we urge the Nigerian military
high command to stick to the rules of engagement and international best
practices.”
MEND commended
President Muhammadu Buhari for his political will in taking steps to clean up
Ogoniland with the launch of the implementation of the recommendations of the
United Nations Environment Programme on June 2, 2016.
“It is in the light of
this premise that the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta for and
on behalf of the good people of the region, sincerely and warmly commend
President Muhammadu Buhari for his political will and sagacity in tackling the
vexed issue of the clean-up of Ogoni land with the June 2, 2016 launch and
implementation of UNEP Report; one of the cornerstones of our agitation, over
the years.
“What is more
worrisome to us is the ungodly conspiracy of silence of the region’s elite and
their tacit support of the NDA’s conduct under the pretext of a so-called Niger
Delta struggle, which went to sleep in luxury hotel suites in Abuja and around
the world for the entire duration of the 6 years of Mr. Jonathan’s binge and
unmitigated disaster as President,” the statement read.
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