In an online statement Tuesday, MEND threatened to call off its indefinite cease fire over an alleged attack on the community earlier in the day.
MEND said the soldiers attacked and destroyed the home of one of its former commanders, Christian don Pedro, while they claimed to be searching for weapons.
''MEND will not tolerate the continued harassment of communities by the Nigerian military and will take appropriate retaliatory actions the next time any community within the Niger Delta is attacked by the Nigerian military,' ' the group warned.
But JTF spokesman, Lt. Col. Timothy Antigha, said JTF personnel were attracted to the riverine community by the sound of guns.
He said the force neither engaged in shooting nor search any house in the community.
Relative peace has returned to the restive Niger Delta since last month, when the government's amnesty programme succeeded in netting about 15,000 militants who surrendered their weapons and renounced violence.
The success of the programme has helped to raise oil production to 2.4 million barrels per day, from 1.2mbpd in July.
Last week, MEND, the largest militant group in the region, entered into peace talks with the federal government
Lagos - 18/11/2009
Pana
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