16th April, 2013PRESS RELEASE:
MEND’S THREAT TO ATTACK MUSLIMS: A SMOKESCREEN
 
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in a recent statement threatened to start attacking Muslim interests by killing Muslim leaders and bombing mosques. MEND gave the beginning of May for the implementation of its threat.
 
We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) regard this threat as a mere smokescreen, badly timed and ill-conceived. We believe that MEND does not understand the issues involved in the Boko Haram saga. Muslims in Nigeria have long disowned Boko Haram. We washed our hands off the atrocities committed by the group and we have been consistent in our condemnation of the attacks carried out by the group. 
We call attention to the monumental speech made by His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Saa’d Abubakar III, in which he referred to the Boko Haram group as an evil and he called on both Christian and Muslim groups in the country to come together to fight this evil. It is therefore ironical that MEND still associates Boko Haram with Islam and threatens to avenge the attacks carried out by the group on innocent Muslims. This will be a gross miscarriage of justice.   
We must remind MEND of early warnings that the main objective of Boko Haram is to ignite a North-South war. MEND may be falling into this trap with its latest threat. But just as Nigerian Muslims disowned Boko Haram, MURIC is interested in knowing the reaction of Nigerian Christians to the threat made by MEND. What has the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) got to say on this? 
It is now an open secret that the Federal Government is poised to announce its granting of amnesty to Boko Haram. The fact that MEND’s threat is coming just when light starts to appear at the end of the dark tunnel is quite interesting. It raises more questions than answers. The only logical conclusion is that MEND wants to scuttle the proposed amnesty for Boko Haram. Put in other words, MEND wants to monopolise amnesty programmes in the country. It should not be enjoyed by any other group. Otherwise we must ask the question: why now? 
The Federal Government has been working round the clock to find a solution to the Boko Haram menace. Why not allow the FG to conclude its plans? The committee set up by the FG to understudy the issue of amnesty for Boko Haram was given two weeks to conclude its deliberations. Why must MEND’s threat come halfway to the timeline? Does it not look like subtle blackmail? We affirm that the timing of MEND’s threat is wrong, uncoordinated and illogical.
 
MURIC reminds MEND that we stood by the people of the Niger Delta during their travail and condemned the environmental degradation in the area from the beginning even before the formation of MEND. It is curious that a group fighting for the economic liberation of its people now wishes to metamorphose into a religious crusader. We remind MEND that this is capable of impugning on its credibility. We have never considered MEND as a terrorist group. We saw it as a freedom fighter group. Its threat to start attacking Islamic targets will definitely change its status. 
We urge the Federal Government to see the true colour of MEND. Government’s analysts must see beyond this threat. We also call on the CAN to separate the wheat from the chaff. Even if MEND attacks Muslims or mosques it will not be fighting for Christians. The threat to attack Muslims is a mere smokescreen. MEND has a hidden agenda. Like the Boko Haram which seeks to railroad the South into a confrontation with the North in order to force an Islamic republic on the North, MEND has an eye on a total break-up of the country in order to put the oil wealth in its region under its total control. This is why MEND is throwing spanner in the works. It is not genuinely interested in peace in Nigeria.     
In view of MEND’s threat, we charge Muslims to be vigilant. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. Yet in spite of the threat, we urge Muslims all over the country to go about their legitimate businesses without fear. We advise them to remain calm, peace-loving and law-abiding. Muslims must realize that MEND does not represent Christians. This threat is therefore not coming from the Christians as a body. Muslims must therefore remain friendly with their Christian neighbours. With malice towards none and charity for all, Muslims must continue to love and forgive. The task of nation-building cannot succeed in an atmosphere of mutual fear and distrust. 
Professor Is-haq Akintola,
Director,Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),234-818-211-9714234-803-346-4974
 

 
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),
234-803-346-4974
234-818-211-9714
E-mail: muslimrightsconcern@yahoo.co.uk            muslimrights@gmail.comWebsite: www.muric.net

Nonsense from Islamic Terrorist group.

But boko haram (like most terrorists) work with islam as their inspiration,so definitely such religion should be called into question,MEND's approach is however not the right one

When did u condem them or disown them?,ur leaders hide and sponsor them.They live in you community and u cannot inform JTF.They buy things from your shop and u keep quit.

Even recently,your leaders(sultan) beg for amnesty for them and still say they don't know them.who are u decieving?,even if mend suspends their attack there will definitely be a war in this country unless u,ur father,mother,siblings and ur ffoolish leaders tell urselves the truth nd help JTF fish this people out because they are not ghost.

Goodluck to mend.

Well taken MURIC. The advice would be duly observed unless where forced to defend against an attack.

antontech: When did u condem them or disown them?,ur leaders hide and sponsor them.They live in you community and u cannot inform JTF.They buy things from your shop and u keep quit.

Even recently,your leaders(sultan) beg for amnesty for them and still say they don't know them.who are u decieving?,even if mend suspends their attack there will definitely be a war in this country unless u,ur father,mother,siblings and ur ffoolish leaders tell urselves the truth nd help JTF fish this people out because they are not ghost.

Goodluck to mend.

You sound as if you like a basic understanding. How will you see the condemnation when you have been blindfolded and programmed.
We were in the country together when so many of your brothers were against the same amnesty for the so called militant then, and the late Yar Adua didn't listen to them.
You sound like someone that has not been trained how to talk. You need to remember that there is no christian individual in Nigeria, be it Jonathan or Oritsejafor you can compare with the Sultan.
We want peace and we have gone for peace option. If you don't want peace, you and your family may go for it even before the MEND members pay the price.

teniyi:

You sound as if you like a basic understanding. How will you see when the condemnation when you have been blindfolded and programme.
We were in the country together when so many of your brothers were against the same amnesty for the so called militant then, and the late Yar Adua didn't listen to them.
You sound like someone that has not been trained how to talk. You need to remember that there is no christian individual in Nigeria, be it Jonathan or Oritsejafor you can compare with the Sultan.
We want peace and we have gone for peace option. If you don't want peace, you and your family may go for it even before the MEND members pay the price.

sorry if u are hurt by understding.

But are u a boko haram member?

This country is too funny.

Bla bla blaah! Mend want to control the oil in their region, I ask again what is wrong with them wanting their oil back?

And did you ever come out honestly condemning your boko haramers apart from agitating for them to chop amnesty money after murdering thousands of innocent none muslims? Save your tears until the country disintergrates.

I wonder why hypocrites like you see no need asking how are those who are disabled for life from your boko haramers attacks, and the relatives of those who were murdered also by boko haramers are coping, no their welfare is not important because they are not muslims.

Noiseless2: Bla bla blaah! Mend want to control the oil in their region, I ask again what is wrong with them wanting their oil back?

And did you ever come out honestly condemning your boko haramers apart from agitating for them to chop amnesty money after murdering thousands of innocent none muslims? Save your tears until the country disintergrates.

I wonder why hypocrites like you see no need asking how are those who are disabled for life from your boko haramers attacks, and the relatives of those who were murdered also by boko haramers are coping, no their welfare is not important because they are not muslims.

Its your deliberate attempt to emphasis the fact that most people killed by the Boko Haram are non muslim. Make your research in a close by location and know the muslim suffer the Boko Haram trouble most.
But here what is being said is how to achieve peace, and people who do not have a foresight like you will be making noise about the country disintegration, who is afraid of that in the first place?
A christian country, Central African Republic has oil and yet majority of the population suffers, while the same oil was wisely used by United Arab Emirates.
Its always amazing when a keyboard warrior like you keep writing and calling for disintegration.
A war drum has just been bitten, I support peace and you have your right to go and buy missiles.

It's laughable and not surprising at all to me when ever hypocrites like yourselves jump in to claim that your islamic boko haram murderers have murdered more muslims than none muslims,because this is exactly your way of life decietfulness!

Even when their main goal is to wipe none muslims off the map of the land and it's not even a secret.
May i ask you again mr hypocrite, where were those muslims when they were murdered by your islamic boko haramers, were they in churchs, pubs or your mosques and many mosques have they actually blew up the way they do to churchs every week?

Ofcourse you wouldn't be human enough to answer the question.

teniyi:
Its your deliberate attempt to emphasis the fact that most people killed by the Boko Haram are non muslim. Make your research in a close by location and know the muslim suffer the Boko Haram trouble most.
But here what is being said is how to achieve peace, and people who do not have a foresight like you will be making noise about the country disintegration, who is afraid of that in the first place?
A christian country, Central African Republic has oil and yet majority of the population suffers, while the same oil was wisely used by United Arab Emirates.
Its always amazing when a keyboard warrior like you keep writing and calling for disintegration.
A war drum has just been bitten, I support peace and you have your right to go and buy missiles.

teniyi:
Its your deliberate attempt to emphasis the fact that most people killed by the Boko Haram are non muslim. Make your research in a close by location and know the muslim suffer the Boko Haram trouble most.
But here what is being said is how to achieve peace, and people who do not have a foresight like you will be making noise about the country disintegration, who is afraid of that in the first place?
A christian country, Central African Republic has oil and yet majority of the population suffers, while the same oil was wisely used by United Arab Emirates.
Its always amazing when a keyboard warrior like you keep writing and calling for disintegration.
A war drum has just been bitten, I support peace and you have your right to go and buy missiles.

this fooll,must you respond to every truth? i said it you are a boko member.

Firstly boko haram is a terrorist group who has taken more thank 3000 lifes,mend are freedom fighters fighting for the progress of there land,i am not in support of any the federal government granting them amnesty ,just think about the message there are going to pass on to younger generation,no one should work,just take up arms and kill any oppostie religious group and the fedreal government will pay you,i think the sultan is wrong by saying amenesty should be granted to boko haram,but i belive he made a mistake in his speech and should correct him self right away

antontech: this fooll,must you respond to every truth? i said it you are a boko member.

The most disastrous thing about your entire life is your inability to distinguish between truth and heresy. Animal!

Noiseless2: It's laughable and not surprising at all to me when ever hypocrites like yourselves jump in to claim that your islamic boko haram murderers have murdered more muslims than none muslims,because this is exactly your way of life decietfulness!

Even when their main goal is to wipe none muslims off the map of the land and it's not even a secret.
May i ask you again mr hypocrite, where were those muslims when they were murdered by your islamic boko haramers, were they in churchs, pubs or your mosques and many mosques have they actually blew up the way they do to churchs every week?

Ofcourse you wouldn't be human enough to answer the question.

Oga Devil, what I pitied you for is how somebody like you is how you will be able to pass in school if there is no corruption in the land. Common comprehension, failed. Poor you.
Now, you need to understand that, personally, all I want is the killing to stop. Even if its going to be by killing the same boko haram.
Government, has used force and couldn't achieve enough, so they want another method and people like you and others who doesn't want peace to return to the North are grumbling.
Even the christians in the North support the same thing , because they want the killing to stop.
Some of you had never been to the North, you stay somewhere else and keep saying, NO, NO, NO.
Then, what is your suggestion. You need to know that if you have brain, you will know that its the North that suffer most.
So what are you suggesting as a solution?