MEND warns against use of force to rescue Chibok schoolgirls
(Nigeria) The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger
Delta, MEND, on Wednesday cautioned the Federal Government against the use of
force to rescue the abducted Chibok schoolgirls.
This is contained in a statement by its Spokesman, Jomo
Gbomo, in Yenagoa.
It urged government to negotiate and agree to the option of
prisoners swap as demanded by the abductors of the girls.
Over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School,
Chibok, Borno, were abducted by insurgents on April 14 from their school
dormitories.
According to MEND's statement, the swap deal is the only
viable option for peace and ceasefire.
``From our experience, it is impossible for any forceful
commando-type rescue in forests or creeks to be successful.
``The Israelis encouraging such a move should understand
that Sambisa Forest is a different kettle of fish from Entebbe International
Airport,’’ it said.
The statement commended the recent release of its 54
members, including an ex-militant commander, Mr Tamunotonye Kuna, at Port
Harcourt Prison without trial.
It said that Kuna, who had been held since December 2010,
had voluntarily submitted his weapons to the Joint Task Force, JTF, during the
amnesty proclamation in the Niger Delta.
The statement, however, urged the government to consider the
unconditional release of other MEND detainees held on trumped-up charges such
as the Okah brothers.
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