Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) on Friday faulted successes claimed by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the ongoing offensive between the military and militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. It also disclosed that 11 more soldiers were ambushed and killed last night at Oporoza by a small commando unit.
MEND's Spokesman, Jomo Gbomo in an email statement to the press said: "We watched in amusement the military Joint Task Force's press conference where they claimed military successes and capture of weapons in a bid to hoodwink the media. Except for those who wish to be deceived, the fact is that none of the weapons displayed were recovered from our camps as claimed. Our standard issue is the AK47 Assault Rifle and none was displayed. Instead rusty Dane guns used by hunters and old machetes and other weapons taken from God knows where were displayed.
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The Army is so eager to cover its shame that they invited the governor for the fraudulent exposition when the places he ought to visit are the various displaced civilians who are suffering terribly. We wish to state again that the military operation was a dismal failure. Not one single militant was captured in spite of the blockade of exit routes and not one single weapon was left during our tactical withdrawal from the transit camps. The frustration of meeting an abandoned camp led to the wild, abnormal and indiscriminate attacks on the civilians in the communities. The JTF, who insisted after the Wednesday, May 13 confrontation that no soldier was killed except two injured, seems to be singing a new tune about officers and men missing in action."
He added that: " Eleven more soldiers were ambushed and killed last night at Oporoza by a small commando unit. This operation will be a daily occurrence in the entire region. The three surviving Filipino hostages will be released and abandoned within the next few days." MEND warned that Nigeria will know no peace until justice returns to the Niger Delta.
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