MEND Says FG is Ready for Conditional Release of Nnamdi Kanu, Henry Okah, Others

                                               Nnamdi Kanu (L) and Henry Okah (R)


The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has said that they are
currently in talks with the federal government.

The group in a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo on Saturday said that the
FG, as part of the deal for a return of peace to the oil-rich Niger Delta, has agreed to
release Nnamdi Kanu , leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) , a former
MEND leader, Henry Okah , who is serving a jail sentence in South Africa, Okah’s younger
brother, Charles, and Obi Nwabueze.

The statement, according to Vanguard, read:

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is the only militant
group from the Niger Delta region who are presently engaged in a dialogue with the
Federal Government of Nigeria – through oil companies and security agencies – with a
view to resolving the current Niger Delta crisis.

Thus far, the deliberations have been fruitful, various concessions and guarantees have
already been secured. Some of which include, but are not limited to: Release of Henry
Okah, Charles Okah and Obi Nwabueze; Review of the life sentence handed to Edmund
Ebiware based on a proposal put forward by the Aaron Team representative for Abia
and Imo states, Senator Adolphus Wabara .

Also, conditional release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu and others if they renounce their
agitation for a ‘Biafra Republic’.

That Government Ekpemupolo shall not be arrested, harassed and/or intimidated
whenever he makes himself available as a delegate of the MEND Aaron Team.
That international arbitrator and conflict negotiator, American Dr. Judith Asuni shall be
accepted as the representative of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) on the MEND Aaron
Team; that the criminal charges against Urhobo freedom fighter, Kelvin Prosper Oniarah
shall be reviewed.

That the life sentence which was handed to seven soldiers in 2008, who actively
supported the Niger Delta struggle be reviewed under the Presidential Amnesty
Programme. The affected persons are: Major Suleiman Alabi Akubo , Sgt. Mathias Peter ,
L.Cpl. Alexander Davou , L.Cpl. Moses Nwaigwe , L.Cpl. Nnandi Anene , L.Cpl. Taatihi
Emmanuel , and Caleb Bawa, PTE.

However, one of the most immediate and urgent fallout of the ongoing dialogue is the
imperative for the Federal Government and MEND to jointly and separately take
proactive steps to rescue and secure the region. This is in the event that the
recalcitrant Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), continuing on its senseless and politically-
motivated path of attacks on the country’s oil assets.
To this end, both parties agreed that the Special Forces of the Nigerian Army should
commence the purely routine but strategic military exercise code-named ‘Operation
Crocodile Tears’ while MEND will commence a meet-the Government-Actors-and-
People tour of the Niger Delta region code-named ‘Operation Moses’.