Perhaps in an attempt to export its ‘expertise’ in the Niger Delta region, Nigeria’s main militant group MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) has said it will support ”an emerging militant group” in Scotland seeking to wage a guerrilla warfare against British interests.
In a statement e-mailed to journalists on Saturday, MEND said it had been approached for its expertise by the unnamed group, which ”shares the sentiments of the Scottish National Party who believe that Scotland should be independent and have full control over its North Sea oil resources like the oppressed people of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria”.
The Nigerian militants, whose violent campaign in the oil region has slashed Nigeria’s oil production, said further: ”Scotland would be one of the richest countries in the world if it was allowed to keep all its oil revenues – worth around $112 billion over the next six years.
”Although Scotland is still relatively better off compared to many African countries, they still have among the worst health, poverty, crime and life expectancy records in the developed world – while the huge profits which could help tackle these problems go to the oil companies and (British Prime Minister) Gordon Brown’s government in London.”
An online Nigerian newspaper had reported that the Scottish group contacted MEND after the furor over the offer of military support to Nigeria made by Brown during the G-8 Summit.
“We stand ready to give help to the Nigerians to deal with lawlessness that exists in this area and to achieve the levels of production that Nigeria is capable of, but because of the law and order problems has not been able to achieve,” Brown told a news conference at the G8 summit, incurring the wrath of MEND which has since called off its unilateral ceasefire in the Niger Niger Delta and threatened British interests in Nigeria. Panapress .
