Voice of Niger Delta under the leadership of Hon Ibimie Odimabo has condemned in totality the attack on members of Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta on Thursday, March 1, 2012. The attack which was carried out by gunmen led to the killings of Lt. Col A. Malik, who is in charge of the Brass Unit of the JTF, two (2) naval ratings and four (4) marine policemen.Reports at the weekend said the military authorities have recovered the bodies of the dead soldiers.
A statement signed by Ukah Modestus E., naational secretary of VOND noted that “these patriotic officer and men were ambushed and killed by a group of intinerant criminals operating within the Niger Delta Region.”
VOND said,“We wish to sympathize with the Joint Task Force (JTF) on this unnecessary and avoidable loss and to console the families of the victims, praying that the almighty God will give them the solace to bear the irreparable loss. As we condemn this dastardly and inhuman act, we also wish to enjoin all citizens of Niger Delta region in particular and Nigeria as a whole to cooperate with the Federal Government in its efforts to use Nigeria’s wealth of gas, petro- chemicals, agriculture and solid minerals, cultural and other resources to diversify the economic base and develop an export-driven production, manufacturing and industrial non-oil sector.
The Voice of Niger Delta added that “This is only possible in an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence and tranquility which is conducive for development. We should be vigilant and report any suspicious movement and act to law enforcement agents.
Today’s statement by VOND also touched on othe issues. “We also noted with dissatisfaction the inhuman condition, which Chevron, an oil prospecting organization has subjected their host community, Kolama in Bayelsa State to, and commend the matching order given by the federal government in reaction to the Chevron’s cruel brutal, and pitiless conduct. Voice of Niger Delta (VOND) will monitor to ensure that the company carry out the environmental impact assessment of the situation immediately”it said in today’s statement adding that it will use “legal and constitutional means to ensure that justice is done to this communities and others being maltreated, and being inflicted with untold hardship. The action of Chevron exhibits high degree of insensitivity, wickedness and total disrespect for human beings. “
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