Nigeria’s MEND threat is govt responsibility – MTN
Threats by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) against South African companies operating in Nigeria – including MTN (MTN) and SacOil – is the responsibility of the Nigerian government, the mobile operator’s Nigerian arm has said.
MEND has threatened to attack the holdings of MTN, and oil and gas exploration company, SacOil, among others.
“In the dark days to come, MTN, SacOil and other South African investments will pay a heavy price for the interference of Jacob Zuma in the legitimate fight for justice in the Niger Delta, by its people,” it said in a statement.
MEND’s purported leader, Henry Okah, is currently awaiting trial on terrorism charges in South Africa.
Funmi Omogbenigun, general manager, corporate affairs at MTN Nigeria said: “Our position is that matters related to national security are the responsibility of the government and we trust that this threat, like others will be given the necessary attention by government.”
Nigeria is MTN’s largest territory in terms of subscribers at 41.107 million.
The Department of International Relations and Co-operation said Monday, that it would investigate threats against South African companies.
MTN’s shares have come under pressure in recent week amid civil unrest in Nigeria, a potential lawsuit from Turkcell over its licence in Iran, and ongoing sanctions by the US and Britain on the Middle Eastern country.
Through a 49% holding in IranCell, MTN boasts 33.314 million subscribers and a 44% market share in Iran.
In afternoon trade on Tuesday, shares in MTN slipped only a fraction lower (7 cents), to R131.88 on the JSE.
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