Nigeria's militants in oil-rich Niger Delta region on Tuesday
warned the public that they would soon resume land-based attacks on
petroleum related installations.
In an e-mil message to Xinhua, Jomo Gbomo, a self-described
spokesman for the Movement of Emancipation of the Niger Delta
(MEND) said the public should right now "keep away from the offices
of all oil companies including the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation."
He said all facilities utilized by oil companies would be
targeted, including petroleum product storage depots, tanker parks,
tankers carrying petroleum products, residential estates belonging
to oil companies and all vehicles belonging to oil and oil service
companies in the Niger Delta.
"These attacks will be complemented by attacks on creek and
offshore installations," he said, adding that Nigerians should keep
well clear of the convoys of governors of the Niger Delta as well
as individuals who have sought in recent days to kill the dreams of
the Niger Delta peoples.
"The blood of the innocent will be shed if any Nigerian invites
these traitors to social functions," he said.
According to him, there will be no further warnings before the
attacks commence.
However, he added, the militants would give notice shortly
before the commencement of attacks with details following
immediately after.
Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa or the sixth
largest oil exporter in the world with a daily crude output of some
2.5 million barrels per day (bpd).
However, the past four months of militant attacks on oil
facilities and kidnapping of oil workers in the Niger Delta region
have cut the oil output by 630,000 bpd, or a quarter.
(Xinhua News Agency May 10, 2006)
