SOUTHSOUTH leaders yesterday regretted the latest threat by a faction of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to attack Muslim institutions .
They described the threat as condemnable and urged security agencies to properly investigate the sources of the publications and expose the masterminds.
Besides, the Southsouth leaders called on security operatives to redouble their efforts in protecting places of worship for both Christians and Muslims to frustrate the plans of unscrupulous elements.
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by Chief Edwin Clark, the leaders traced the threat to mischief makers hiding under the cover of some faceless groups.
Clark also noted that it was no longer news that MEND’s self- acclaimed leaders – both in Nigeria and abroad – have repeatedly said the group was no longer in existence.
The statement reads: “The report alleged to have been attributed to a group that parades itself as MEND threatening to attack some religious places of worship of our muslim brothers has been received by many of us leaders of the southsouth with much regrets and total condemnation.
“In the said report published in several national newspapers, the authors of the threat purported to have concluded plans to invoke mayhem and destruction as a result of the planned attacks.
“I will like to state that these threats are obviously, the handiworks of mischief makers hiding under the cover of some bogus and faceless groups that are known by many to be non-existent.
“We may all recall media publications that the self – acclaimed leaders of the so called MEND both in Nigeria and abroad had repeatedly stated that the group is no more in existence.
“They had even dissociated themselves from publications that tend to suggest any inactivity in that respect.
“Following some reports which got to me, I recall alerting in publications in the electronic, print and social media that persons such as the present phony groups will try to use the name of non-existent organisations to cause havoc and attempt to bring disaffection between the various groups in the country and to heat up the polity in order to make the country ungovernable.
“In particular, I had warned that this will be done to tarnish and sour the very healthy and harmonious relationship existing between the people of the Southsouth and those from the other parts of the country.
“The people of the southsouth are known to be peaceful, hospitable and accommodating. Even at the height of the agitations directed at environmental justice and equity over the years, people from other parts of the country enjoyed the best of hospitality and protection in that part of the country.
“It is therefore totally incongruent and ridiculous that some groups will try to fan the embers of ethnic disharmony aimed at scoring cheap political point against the people of the Southsouth.
“I also want to enjoin Mr. President to continue with the good work which he has started regarding dialogue with our leaders, brothers and friends in the North in courageously tackling our security challenges.
“It is good leadership in trying to bring all groups to dialogue and work towards peaceful resolution of any existing situation. Nigeria is the only home that we have and we must all work closely together for its peace and progress.
“Finally, let it be known that the alledged voice of MEND’s Jomo Gbomo no longer exists in Nigeria because there is no more MEND. Anyone parading or masquerading himself as Jomo Gbomo is not operating from Nigeria.
“It may be the voice of a mischievous and an unpatriotic Nigerian operating from outside the country. Those who were using the name Jomo Gbomo are either in detention awaiting trial or already adjudged guilty and are serving their jail term. Therefore, appeal to all the ex-militant leaders and their followers not to allow themselves to be used, and should also ignore and openly condemn the so-called voice of Jomo Gbomo.”
