Lagos, Nigeria - The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) Monday reiterated its plan to attack oil firms and facilities in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, saying the attacks will be carried out within the 'next few weeks'.

In a statement e-mailed to journalists on Monday, the group also explained that the lull in militancy in the oil region, which many attribute to the government's successful amnesty programme in 2009, was being used by MEND to acquire more sophisticated weapons

On Saturday night, MEND said its fighters attacked an Agip oil pipeline in Brass, Bayelsa state, as a prelude to more attacks on oil facilities in the region.

On Monday, the spokesman for the military Joint Task Force (JTF) deployed to the region, Lt.-Col. Timothy Antigha, confirmed the attack, but said it was carried out by impostors, rather than by MEND.

'For the avoidance of doubt, people who were the leadership of MEND are now responsible members of the society, having accepted the amnesty,' the spokesman said.

But MEND slammed the spokesman, saying his 'little mind' had made it impossible for him to 'comprehend the gravity of the situation unfolding in the Niger Delta'.

The militant group also renewed its threat to attack South African firms in Nigeria, especially SacOil, in an apparent protest against the trial of MEND leader Henry Okah in South Africa for alleged terrorism.

'If the Nigerian government cannot protect companies like Shell and Chevron, how will they manage to protect an insignificant Sacoil?' MEND queried

Pana 07/02/2012