MEND Calls-Off Planned Attack On Muslims, Mosques
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) wednesday called off its plans to attack mosques and assassinate Islamic clerics to avenge the attack on Christians and churches by Boko Haram militants.
The group, in a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, said
despite several provocative statements credited to some Muslim leaders,
it had decided to call off the planned attack.
"Our planned attacks on mosques and other related agencies of religious
intolerance have been called off due to the intervention of
well-meaning Nigerians, religious bodies and the Nigerian government’s
recent show of sincerity with the order to release from detention women,
children, relatives and suspected Boko Haram members giving room for
genuine dialogue.
"We have also heeded the appeal from Mr Henry Okah and Mr. Kingsley
Kuku, Special Adviser to the
President on Niger Delta Affairs. To these
effects, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D)
hereby announces the suspension of “Operation Barbarossa” which was to
have commenced from Friday, May 31, 2013, with immediate effect. We use
this opportunity to call for the release of Henry Okah and others in
detention over the October 01, 2010, twin car bomb blast," the statement
said.