Nnamdi kanu, Okah may be released -FG

Henry Okah

Charles Okah

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta
(MEND) and the Federal Government currently engaged
in a dialogue through the oil companies and security
agencies have reached far-reaching compromises,
including the release of former militant leader, Henry
Okah, in prison in South Africa and Charles Okah,
incarcerated in Nigeria.
They also agreed that ex-militant leader, Government
Ekpemupolo , alias Tompolo, would not be harassed
by government if he makes himself available as a
delegate on MEND Aaron Team 2, while the leader of
the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu,
would be released on condition that he renounces the
agitation for “Biafra Republic.” 
Nnamdi Kanu
MEND in a statement by spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo,
today (Saturday) announced other breakthroughs in
the discussions that will end the revolt in the South-
South and South East regions in a jiffy.
However, it said the recalcitrant Niger Delta Avengers,
NDA, still has opportunity to embrace peace failing
which a combination of military forces and volunteers
in the region, would smoke them out.
The statement 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 Mr.
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, Mr. Nnamdi
Kanu and others if they renounce their agitation for a
“Biafra Republic,” the group said.
Furthermore, MEND said they agreed: “That Mr.
Government Ekpemupolo shall not be arrested,
harassed and/or intimidated whenever he makes
himself available as a delegate of the MEND Aaron
Team.”
It added: “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, Mr.
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:
Suleiman Alabi Akubo, Major. Mathias Peter, SGT,
Alexander Davou, L.Cpl., Moses Nwaigwe, L.Cpl.,
Nnandi Anene, L.Cpl. Taatihi Emmanuel, L.Cpl and
Caleb Bawa, PTE,” it said. .
“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,” it noted.
MEND asserted: “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 would commence a meet-the Government-
Actors-and-People tour of the Niger Delta region
code-named “Operation Moses”.