The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) claimed Saturday its fighters killed 29 soldiers of the Joint Military Task Force in reprisal attacks in the Niger Delta oil region. MEND said the attacks, in retaliation for the JTF’s alleged killing of 12 civilians 24 August 2008 in the oil state of Bayelsa, took place at locations in three states – Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers. ”The precise locations of the battles are Odiama creek in Bayelsa, Opia river in Delta, and the confluence of Bonny and Andonni river in Rivers state,” MEND said. It added: ”From our count, the predominantly ethnic northern JTF lost a total of 29 soldiers in the combined assault. We can not account for those that jumped into the water in panic and drowned. We lost six of our gallant fighters.” The military has not immediately reacted to the claims.
