The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, yesterday claimed responsibility for the killing of 12 policemen in the Southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State on Saturday.
MEND, in a statement sent to National Mirror, said it engaged some security forces in heavy gun duel in Azuzama Town, because its warning of planned attacks on oil facilities was dismissed by security forces.
The group warned that the attack was to show its seriousness to carry out its threat with more attacks.
The statement reads: “For dismissing Hurricane Exodus as an “empty threat” by the Nigerian security forces, heavily armed fighters from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, at about 17:00 Hrs., Saturday 06, April 2013, intercepted and engaged government security forces in a fierce gunfight lasting over 40 minutes at Azuzama, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.