As the transition from the Government of Olusegun Obasanjo to that of Umara Yar'Adua gets closer, a spokesman allegedly talking on behalf of MEND has said that the 7 expatriates kidnapped on Friday will be killed. The following article appeared in the 'Daily Champion' newspaper today:
A prominent militant group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Bayelsa State chapter has issued a 72- hour ultimatum to the Federal Government to release detained activist, Alhaji Asari Dokubo or risk the killing of seven expatriate oil workers abducted Friday, by militants in Akassa, Brass local government area of the state.
The expatriates comprising three Americans and four Britons working for Transcoastal, an oil servicing firm and a subsidiary of Conoil Nigeria Limited, are still in the custody of the militants, while one Nigerian, a South African and a Filipino kidnapped earlier, have regained their freedom.
Commander of MEND in the state, Mr. Joshua Makaira, issued the ultimatum in a statement made available to Daily Champion in Yenagoa, Saturday, just as he noted that an abducted Briton, Jeff Trewen has been in his custody, since May 5, this year, adding that the state government and employers of the oil worker have since been pleading for his release.
Makaira further warned that if the federal government fails to set Dokubo free, all the hostages in their captivity would be killed by May 29, when the incumbent administration is expected to hand over power.
Alhaji Dokubo-Asari, leader of the Niger Delta Peoples' Volunteer Force (NDPVF) has been in detention since November 2005 on charges of treason.
Makaira also alleged that his group has uncovered a plot to murder Dokubo in custody by poisoning, claiming that it was revealed to the detainee by his counsel.
He stated with emphasis that peace would no longer be guaranteed as total action would lead to the destruction of oil facilities located in the Niger Delta region.
This would be a major departure from MEND's previous policy of not killing hostages, so it seems unlikely, but if it happens it will signify a huge new escalation in the violence as many expatriates have justified staying in this dangerous area by saying that even if they are kidnapped, they will be released once a ransom has been paid.
If anyone is wondering why both CHC and Bristow are still short of pilots, maybe the threat of being unwittingly involved in the region's violence is a major factor. No matter how much money is on offer, it's not worth dying for. Neither company is offering enough to make it really worthwhile going to Nigeria unless there is also a genuine commitment to improving personal security. The security improvements made by both companies to date are mostly cosmetic. There need to be significant improvements in housing security and neither company has really got to grips with the most dangerous part of the average expat's day - the journey to work. In times such as these, with all employees spending their free time under curfew an internet connection becomes almost an essential, not a luxury, but neither company allows free internet access with a decent connection at the workplace, and those available in housing compounds range from pathetic to just adequate. Naturally, these things have a price and if the companies, or their client oil companes, are not willing to pay that price, then maybe they will have to consider pulling out. Both CHC and Bristow are North American companies and if they are unable to fulfil their codes of business ethics, including a reasonable duty of care for their employees' security they may have no option
