“We shall fight back if you dare us” – Northern youths tell MEND

Infuriated by the threat it received last Sunday from the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, to commence immediate attack on mosques and Muslim clerics as from May 31 over the continuous killings of Christians by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram in the North, northern youth in a reaction that came yesterday, promised to take on the militants in the most aggressive way should they execute their plans.

Although the northern youth did not disclose their retaliation strategies, they had sent a warning message to MEND not to be too boastful, as violence does not belong to just one group.

The warning was sent out through the National President of the Arewa Youth Forum, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Gujungu in Abuja.

Gujungu had disclosed the readiness of northern youth to fight back should the Militants make real their threat.

The youth leader said,”the most recent threat by MEND is indeed, unfortunate, callous and counter productive, especially coming at a time when patriotic Nigerians are making strident effort and sacrifices to resolve the current security challenge.

“MEND, as usual, is putting spanners in the works for unpatriotic selfish economic benefits. It is painful that these elements are threatening more violence despite the colossal amount being paid their leadership and the training of Niger Delta youths abroad by the Federal Government to the obvious disadvantage of other Nigerian youths outside the region.

“MEND and its members are hereby warned that they do not have monopoly of ideas, strength or ability. The youths of the north and other Nigerians are united and shall face them to truncate any of their threats which are aimed at separating Nigerians along religious or ethnic divides for their selfish economic goals.

“It is very sad and mind boggling to note that instead of supporting and ensuring that President Jonathan succeeds in finding a lasting solution to the present security challenge in the north, MEND has re-opened another insecurity theatre in the Niger Delta to cause distraction and make him fail.

“The obvious disrespect, which MEND shows to President Jonathan as not being among those they respect enough to intervene in the ongoing debacle, is food for thought, to say the least,” Gujungu said.

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