The Director of Defense Information (DDI), Col Chris Jemitota and the kindergarten
spokesman of the JTF, Lt. Col Rabe Abubakar seems to contradict themselves on the
events leading to the indiscriminate bombardment, wanton destruction of
property and killing of defenseless women, children and the elderly by the
irresponsible armed forces of Nigeria.
- While the DDI says a rescue team was ambushed after it was sent to rescue the crew
from the seized vessel MV Spirit, JTF said earlier that their men were ambushed
during an escort of a supply vessel belonging to Chevron. The Nigerian military does
not have the capacity to conduct successful hostage rescue.
- The DDI said the crew were captured, tortured, killed and contents of the vessel
stolen. While the fact remains that the vessel was only hijacked after the skirmish
with the JTF to be used as leverage. The petroleum product contents of the vessel is
such that can not be stolen and there was no need to torture or kill the crew. The
two sailors killed were from the indiscriminate aerial attack.
- While the JTF maintains that only two soldiers were injured, the DDI is admitting
casualties with embarrassing figures.
-On his claims that villages with civilian inhabitants were not used as target
practice by the Air Force jets, we challenge the military to allow local and
international journalist access to the villages to see the shame of an ill-trained
military.
It was obvious from DDI statement that the illegal commander-in-chief of the armed
forces of Nigeria does not even have control over these vagabonds in uniform.
For the record, we wish to state that only five militants have been killed in the
aerial bombardment and the land battles.
Aside from Camp 5 where we made a tactical retreat, Camp Iroko remains intact
contrary to the propaganda from the army that it has been taken.
Soldiers have been harassing doctors in hospitals to search if there are injured men
of fighting age with shrapnel or gun shot injuries.
Out thoughts and prayers go to all the innocent souls killed and maimed by the
Nigerian state.
Jomo Gbomo
