Probe ex-S-South lawmakers over peace talks with MEND, says activist

Vanguard

19 March 2011

Probe ex-S-South lawmakers over peace talks with MEND, says activist:

BENIN – A Niger Delta activist, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, Saturday,  called on security agencies to take into custody and quiz the former members of the House of Representatives, South-South caucus, who claimed in Abuja, last week, that they were in touch with the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta, MEND, and would engage the group in peace talks following its recent threat to bomb oil installations in Niger-Delta and political gatherings in Lagos and Abuja.

Bebenimibo, a former secretary of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), in the Western zone and a communication advisor to one-time MEND leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, told Sunday Vanguard on phone, yesterday, “MEND has been disbanded, there is no more MEND, so, which MEND is the leader of the caucus, Chief Austin Opara, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, discussing with.

“These people just want to make themselves relevant in the system because election is approaching, they are not discussing with any MEND because the group is no longer in existence, security agents should find out those they are holding the peace talks with because these are the people issuing the threats to bomb Niger-Delta, Lagos and Abuja,’’ he added.