Rockets, Explosives, Rifles imported from Iran *The MEND, Al-Qaeda Connection

Source: pointblanknews.com


107 mm rockets, rifles, mortars, explosives and other dangerous weapons hidden in a 24 crates allegedly imported from Iran and intercepted by security operatives at the Lagos Ports has further raised concern over plot by Al-Qaeda to infiltrate Nigeria.

Pointblanknews.com had exclusively reported a link between Al Qaeda and the Henry Okah's flank of MEND.

Al-Qaeda is currently operating from Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, Afghanistan and few other countries and it is looking to expand its operational base.

Al-Qaeda, according to a highly placed source in South Africa planned to use Okah and his group to launch what a South African javascript:void(0); source described as “an unprecedented presence in Nigeria” and give full participation in “well orchestrated bombing plots.”

Sources confirmed to Pointblanknews.com that the intercepted weapons and ammunition may belong to agents working for the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND through Henry Okah with support from Al-Qaeda.

“We are aware of the relationship between MEND and Al-Qaeda and we have received some briefings from investigators handling the October bombing and it is most likely that the ship load of arms belongs to them even though we are still investigating,” a source informed Pointblanknews.com.

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The source hinted that what gave investigators of the intercepted ship great concern was the discovery that the ship was from Iran, a country notorious with backing the operations of Al-Qaeda.

Sources told Pointblanknews.com that Okah has been receiving series of regular briefings on guerilla warfare from one of Al Qaeda's financier and henchmen in Africa. His link was traced prior to his arrest in Angola for gun running.

The henchman, a Saudi citizen who makes cash available and coordinates logistics in Uganda, Somalia, Kenya, and Angola is Sheikh Mohammed Abu Fa'id. He is also known as Sheikh Fu'ad Mohammed Khalaf.

Sources hinted that the climax of the support MEND is getting from Al-Qaeda is weaponry.

Artillery rockets like those often used by insurgents in Afghanistan filled an illegal arms shipment intercepted at Nigeria's busiest cargo port, raising security questions about the oil-rich nation before its upcoming presidential election.

Officials allowed journalists on Wednesday to see the 107 mm rockets, rifle rounds and other weapons seized at Apapa Port. Authorities also said the shipment contained grenades, explosives, mortars and possibly rocket launchers. However, journalists visiting the holding yard Wednesday just inside of the port's main gate did not see those weapons.

Nigerian National Security Adviser Andrew Owoye Azazi declined to say what ship carried the weapons into the port, nor where they were heading. He also did not say whether other illegal arms had successfully passed through the chaotic ports.

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Azazi told journalists after viewing the weaponry.

 
Authorities said the weapons were in a shipment whose manifest labeled the goods as building materials. As officials opened new containers, they pulled away yellow insulation and plastic to reach the individual crates.

The seizure is a troubling sign in Africa's most populous nation, coming less than a month after a car bombing targeting the country's independence celebrations killed at least 12 people. With Nigeria approaching what could be a hotly contested presidential election next year, the nation continues to see targeted killings allegedly committed by a radical Islamic sect and the threat of new violence in its oil-rich southern delta.

The shipment also raised questions about the possible involvement of former militant and alleged arms dealer Henry Okah. Okah faces terrorism charges in South Africa after authorities say he masterminded the Oct. 1 bombing and served as the de facto voice of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, the oil-rich region's main militant group.

Okah has denied the charges and has said he did not write MEND communiqués under the nom de guerre of Jomo Gbomo.

With Agency Reports.

 


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