YENAGOA, NIGERIA – Terrorists seem to have no limits on where they can carry out their attacks.
“Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds.” Sound familiar? Most would say it is the motto of the US Postal Service (USPS). Ah, those stalwart letter carriers!
Um, actually the phrase originated as “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these courageous couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds” and dates back to 2500 years ago! The Greek historian Herodotus was referring to Persian mounted postal couriers working during the war between the Greeks and Persians about 500 B.C. Way to steal a slogan USPS!
When it comes to terrorism the same thing can be said sometimes. On occasion we see an act of extremist violence that really shows dedication to duty.
Most acts are land-based for the simple reason, I’d imagine, that they are the easiest to execute. Doing so in the air is complicated if you don’t happen to own a flying device (of course 9/11 showed us all how effective a hijacking can be). And to do so on water would require someone who doesn’t get seasick!
Well, there ARE attacks on H2O.
On this day in 2013
Terrorists from the Nigerian Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) ambushed a police boat in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, killing 12 police officers. MEND said it had attacked the boat heading to a funeral in Bayelsa state because government forces had refused to take its threat seriously.
For dismissing (our statement) … as an ‘empty threat’, heavily armed fighters from … MEND intercepted and engaged government security forces in a fierce gunfight at Azuzama.
Statement from Jomo Gbomo, a pseudonym the group uses
So, the next time you are lazing in a paddleboat on the Suwanee River or canoeing/kayaking on one of Canada’s gorgeous boreal lakes have a look out for terrorists!
Read More Today in Terrorism
May 31, 1906: Spanish anarchist bombs royal wedding
On May 31, 1906 a Spanish anarchist threw a bomb hoping to hit King Alfonso XIII, killing 24 and wounding more than 100.
May 30, 2009: Anti-government group bombs TV station in Ecuador
On May 30, 2009 two pamphlet-bombs exploded outside an Ecuadorian TV station and ministry: no victims or significant damage ensued.
May 29, 2016: ISIS uses chlorine gas in terrorist attack
On May 29, 2016 35 civilians were wounded in an ISIS attack using rockets containing chlorine gas in Iraq’s Nineveh Province.
