Lagos — The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has declared a temporary ceasefire in its attacks on oil facilities in the country.

MEND, which is believed to be the main militant group, made this declaration with effect from "0000 Hrs, Wednesday, July 15, 2009", it said in an email sent by the spokesman, "Jomo Gbomo".

MEND said the ceasefire would be observed for 60 days, revealing that "several factors necessitated our decision; chiefly the release of Mr. Henry Okah from government custody".

The email continued: "During this period, the Aaron team of wise men and women will be put together after consultations with relevant stakeholders. They will speak on our behalf and convey our demands to government."

It demanded the withdrawal of soldiers from some parts of the Niger Delta, maintaining: "a compulsory prelude to talks is the withdrawal of the military Joint Task Forces from the Gbaramatu communities and the return of all the displaced persons back to their various homes."

It further said: "Hopefully, the ceasefire period will create an enabling environment for progressive dialogue."

MEND had declared a similar ceasefire in 2007 when President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua came to power, but resumed its attacks on oil installations after its leader, Okah, was arrested, detained and put on trial for treason, among other charges, same year.

Its intensified bombing campaigns this year, codenamed "Hurricane Piper Alpha" and "Hurricane Moses", have virtually crippled Nigeria's oil export, with the country exporting a little above one million barrels per day, almost half of the budget estimate, compared to the high of nearly three million barrels per day it was doing three years ago.

The attacks have also worsened the power situation as the gas pipelines have been incapacitated, thereby derailing gas supply to thermal stations across the country.

Before this morning's ceasefire declaration, and following the bombing of Atlas Cove Jetty belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Lagos State on Sunday night, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had said it was beefing security at all the airports in the country to forestall possible militants attack.

Also, the Attorney-General of the Federal and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa, had explained that his trip to Sao Tome and Principe last week was official and was permitted by the Vice-President.

He was reacting to the allegation published by THISDAY yesterday that the militants attack on the Atlas Cove on Sunday was caused by his delay in effecting the release of Okah, as directed by President Yar'Adua Wednesday last week.

In another development, the President yesterday effected a minor cabinet reshuffle, moving the Minister of Interior, Gen. Godwin Abbe to Defence, and the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Shettima Mustapha, to Interior.

Also moved were the Minster of State (Interior), Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu, who swapped positions with the Minister of State for Defence (Navy), Mr. Ademola Seriki.

No official reason was given for the reshuffle, but it is thought that it is part of government's attempt to strengthen the peace process in the Niger Delta.

In reaction to the unprecedented militants attack on Lagos, police have deployed more officers, vehicles and explosive detectors in the airports across the country.

According to a statement made available to THISDAY by FAAN, the Managing Director of the agency, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, held a closed door meeting with the new Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Police Anti-bomb Squad, Mr. Chris Olakpe, on how security could be improved at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and other airports in the country.

Aisuebeogun was quoted as saying at the meeting that the security situation in some parts of the country had become "a big challenge" and directed all its aviation security officers to be on the alert for any suspicious baggage and packages.

He assured Nigerians that security officials at the various airports in the country would take pre-emptive action to ensure maintenance of safety and security.

Olakpe said his department would take delivery of some explosive detectors and 28 vehicles, which would be configured for explosive ordinance disposal at the airports.

He revealed that more policemen and officers would soon be deployed in the airports to boost security measures at the nation's borders.

Aondoakaa, who denied that he delayed the release of Okah, said everything he did concerning the presidential directive was well known to the president.

"It may be true that I did not attend the security meetings, but that did not have any impact on the release process. I was not attending those meetings before. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has always been the one representing the Justice Ministry," he told THISDAY, maintaining that Monday was the most feasible date for the termination of the prosecution of Okah.

He gave an assurance that MEND would come to terms with the Federal Government after the release of Okah.

The minister, who also spoke with journalists yesterday, said the government could not afford to play politics with the issue in the Niger Delta area.

According to him, "It is left for their conscience to judge them. The entire country and the international community can now see the extent the president has gone to ensure that there is an end to the crisis. Their action was criminal."

He added that with the release of Okah, an action he said was the climax of the level of sincerity of the President, "We are hopeful that the matter can be resolved. It is beyond party politics. We can't afford to play politics with this issue because we may be playing with our security".

Also, the Presidential Committee on Amnesty and Disarmament of militants in the Niger Delta yesterday met with Yar'Adua to brief him on the release of Okah.

The meeting, which held at the President's office at the State House, Abuja, and attended by the Committee Chairman and new Minster of Defence, Abbe, lasted more than an hour.

Emerging from the parley, Abbe told newsmen that Okah had assured him of his cooperation in returning peace to the Niger Delta.

Abbey disclosed that from Okah's assurances, government would use him as a facilitator for peace in the troubled region.

While saying Okah is not God and could not guarantee peace in the region single-handedly, the minister said the militant leader would all the same play a pivotal role on Nigerians request to God for a peaceful country.

The Committee's Media Coordinator, Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, said the amnesty offer was fully on course and making progress.


In Lagos, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ibrahim Idah, who addressed defence correspondents immediately after a facility tour of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi yesterday, said the National Assembly was worried over the frequent blasting of the nation's oil facilities.

He said there were "civilized methods" to addressing issues "rather that resorting to the destruction of the country's resources", describing the action, which led to the death of three Naval officers, as an attack on the nation's economic base.

The Nigerian Navy yesterday said it had commenced a full-scale investigation into the attack.

Its Director of Information, Commodore David Nabaida, told THISDAY on phone that it was too early to speak on the issue, but that the Nigerian Navy would let the public know what happened after investigations.