I've not heard any more news of the police strike, but tomorrow should bring more news on that. The advice to stay in seems very good, though I hear that Aero now have a policy in place, while Bristow staff have had no guidance or advice so far
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The latest release from the militants makes the advice to stay off the streets over the next 2 weekends even more relevant as yet again a coalition of militants has said that expats should leave the Delta:
A coalition of militants under the aegis of “Coalition of Niger Delta Forces” have issued the Federal Government with 72 hours ultimatum to withdraw all military personnel from the Niger Delta, release Alhaji Asari Dokubo and Raphael Uwazurike or they will declare a full blown war on them.
At the expiration of the time of the ultimatum, the militants also advised all foreigners to leave the Niger Delta as they could be affected in the conflagration they were going to precipitate.
They also pressed for the sack Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Maurice Iwu, who they accused of partisanship and working to favour the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and further warned that they would resort to violence against any governor in the region who attempts to rig elections.
Other demands they are making is that properties seized from leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante group, Mr. Tom Ateke, be immediately returned to him while INEC should stop disqualifying any Nigerian who wishes to contest elections.
“INEC should no longer disqualify any candidate no matter the case, any Nigerian who wants to contest any election should be given the free hand to do so since the major decision of choice of leadership lies with the masses.
“Furthermore, we demand an immediate stop of the incessant attacks on Ateke Tom of the Niger Delta vigilante and his properties that were destroyed and ceased by the government should be paid back to him.
“Asari Dokubo, and Unwazurike and all other Niger Delta freedom fighter in government custody should be immediately released.
“The Federal Government should immediately withdraw its military personnel in the region because this military are intended to be used by the government in power to rig election in the region.
“We wish to inform the government this demand are very esteem to this body and if after seventy two hours they are not considered, we advise every foreigners to leave the region for their own interest as their safety could not be guaranteed when we swing into our best actions”, they said.
The warning which the militants posted to journalists in Port Harcourt threatened to attack any interest or persons bent on derailing the democratic process and pointed at the case of Anambra to justify their call for Iwu’s removal as they alleged that he made every effort to disqualify opponents of Andy Uba to pave way for him to win without a contest.
Ikiederi Richard, Secretary, Walter Adokie, the Land Army Commander and Priye Alabo who is their Marine Commander who jointly signed the statement alleged that the INEC chairman was only working to protect the interest of those who brought him to office to the detriment of the development of politics in the country.
Whilst the language may be rather quaintly laughable, and there's undoubtedly an element of just trying to wind up the tension before the election, some of these press releases to come to some kind of fruition.
Merely having a MOPOL escort will offer little protection from the types of incident which can flare up so quickly at times like this. Those flying for Shell or Aero are fortunate to have some sound guidance. Bristow, as usual will probably come up with too little too late
