Anti-aircraft batteries in the Niger Delta?
MEND has announced that it is stepping up its military campaign in the Niger delta. It has said that it will be stepping up attacks in Port Harcourt and Yenagoa. In one rather disturbing announcement, Jomo Gbomo, the group's spokesman has said that despite its differences with Tom Ateke, the militant leader in Okrika (near Port Harcourt), it will "support him with fighters and heavy weapons including anti-aircraft batteries as he engages the JTF". If this is true, be very careful flying over the onshore areas of the Delta, especially pilots flying for Shell, Agip and Chevron who make frequent flights to helipads in the swamps.