Today in Nigerian History; 29th April

Militants (1)

On this day in 2006: A car bombing in the Nigerian oil city of Warri destroyed at least five tanker trucks…

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which demands more local control over the southern delta’s oil wealth, said it had used a mobile phone to detonate 30 kg (66 lb) of dynamite in the bombing.

The group, following a string of Boko Haram bombings in Nigeria in the 2010s, and many attacks against Christian targets, threatened to bomb mosques and assassinate Muslim clerics.

MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo said a campaign will start on 31 May “to save Christianity in Nigeria from annihilation. The bombings of mosques, haj camps, Islamic institutions, large congregations in Islamic events and assassinations of clerics that propagate doctrines of hate will form the core mission of this crusade.” However, Operation Barbarossa would be called off if Christian organisations and the Henry Okah intervene; it further called on Boko Haram to stop attacking Christians and churches.

It then announced a suspension of the plans after calls from religious groups and prominent citizens such as Henry Okah