From Jessica Tamaradonye, Warri

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, has claimed responsibility for a fire that broke out at the Warri Refinery and Petrolchemical Company, WRPC, Tuesday morning.

The huge fire, it was gathered, started around 11:00am in one of the refining plants and was at the verge of spreading but for the timely intervention of fire fighters.

MEND claimed that the “sabotage” was done in protest against the unsustainable and alleged fraudulent Niger Delta Amnesty Programme that has gulped billions of naira.

According to a statement signed by the group’s spokesman, Gbomo Jomo, “Hurricane Exodus” was intended to burn down the entire refining facility.

However, the prompt intervention of fire fighters from Chevron Nigeria Limited, Shell Petroleum Development Company, the state fire fighters as well as the standby fire fighters from the WRPC, spared the nation from another disaster of huge magnitude.

The group warned that as long as President Goodluck Jonathan continued to rely on “an unsustainable and fraudulent Niger Delta Amnesty programme”, peace and security will continue to elude his government in the region.

The raging inferno was successfully put out after about two hours battle and calm has since returned to the area