MEND reacts to Boko Haram's request, demands Henry Okah's release (Press Statement)

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has reacted to conditions of ceasefire given by members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram sect.

MEND threatened serious consequences if the federal government agrees to demands made by members of the Islamic sect without releasing its leader, Henry Okah.

It will be recalled that Boko Haram on Wednesday offered to hold talks with the federal government ahead of a planned ceasefire giving some conditions for such dialogue to hold.

Below is a copy of the statement:

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MOVEMENT FOR THE EMANCIPATION OF THE NIGER DELTA (MEND) ON THE RECENT DEMANDS FOR PEACE BY BOKO HARAM

We read with great concern reports attributed to one Abu Mohammed Ibu Abdulaziz the spokesperson of the sect on the dailies this morning the 2nd of November 2012 oulining conditions to end its campaign of violence against the Federal Government and the citizens alike.

The high command of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta wishes to inform the Federal Government and all security agencies in Nigeria that if these conditions given by boko haram are granted without the release of our dear leader (Henry Okah) and other members of our movement, there will be serious consequences which with our latest technological know-how, will affect the entire country including the oil and non-oil sectors respectively.

It is regrettable that for the past 52 years of independence, the Federal Government has failed in it’s responsibilities to protect the lives and properties of the Niger Deltans and most importantly, handing over the control of our resources to the region rather the Federal Government finds it appropriate to use the money generated from our resources in developing other regions which we no longer can take.

As a matter of urgency, the Federal Government is hereby conditioned as follows:

(a) Stop further prosecution of our leader (Henry Okah)

(b) Release all members of the movement held in various detention centers in Nigeria

(c) Compensate families of our members killed by the Government security agencies.

(d) Withdraw all military personnel and tanks in the region

(e) Handing over resource control to the region.

Consequently we have resolved to launch an aggresive and bloody campaign against all military and oil installations in the whole of the country if these conditions stated above are not granted.

SIGNED

Comrade Azizi
2nd November 2012