A prominent militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Bayelsa State chapter has issued a 72- hour ultimatum to the Federal Government to release detained activist, Alhaji Asari Dokubo or risk the killing of seven expatriate oil workers abducted Friday, by militants in Akassa, Brass local government area of the state.
The expatriates comprising three Americans and four Britons working for Transcoastal, an oil servicing firm and a subsidiary of Conoil Nigeria Limited, are still in the custody of the militants, while one Nigerian, a South African and a Filipino kidnapped earlier, have regained their freedom.
Commander of MEND in the state, Mr. Joshua Makaira, issued the ultimatum in a statement made available to Daily Champion in Yenagoa, Saturday, just as he noted that an abducted Briton, Jeff Trewen has been in his custody, since May 5, this year, adding that the state government and employers of the oil worker have since been pleading for his release.Makaira further warned that if the federal government fails to set Dokubo free, all the hostages in their captivity would be killed by May 29, when the incumbent administration is expected to hand over power.
Alhaji Dokubo-Asari, leader of the Niger Delta Peoples' Volunteer Force (NDPVF) has been in detention since November 2005 on charges of treason.
Makaira also alleged that his group has uncovered a plot to murder Dokubo in custody by poisoning, claiming that it was revealed to the detainee by his counsel.
He stated with emphasis that peace would no longer be guaranteed as total action would lead to the destruction of oil facilities located in the Niger Delta region.
No comments:
Post a Comment