A group that claimed responsibility for a major attack on a pipeline in the South-South geopolitical zone has said it will carry out more strikes, just days after President Muhammadu Buhari vowed to crack down on “vandals and saboteurs.”
Reuters reported that the Niger Delta Avengers had said it carried out the attack on a Shell underwater pipeline in February which interrupted oil flows and forced the company to shut down its 250,000 barrel-a-day Forcados export terminal for weeks.
Pipeline attacks and violence have risen in the Niger Delta since authorities issued an arrest warrant in January for a former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, on corruption charges.
Last week Buhari, a former military ruler, said the government would crack down on pipeline saboteurs.. And on Sunday the Federal Government issued a statement that said a permanent pipeline security force was being considered.
“We are not deterred by such threats as we are highly spirited and shall continue blowing up pipelines until the Niger Delta people are no longer marginalised by the Nigerian actors,” said the Niger Delta Avengers in a statement quoted by Reuters.
The Delta’s oil provides 70 per cent of state income in Africa’s biggest economy but, like much of Nigeria, the region has seen little development which has prompted militants to demand a greater share of crude revenues.
The Niger Delta Avengers, unheard of before the Forcados attack, said they wanted to ensure that local people enjoy a quality of life which “reflects the region’s contribution to the national purse.”
Reuters quoted the group as saying in a statement that, “We take no pleasure in claiming innocent lives hence our struggle is geared toward attacking the oil installations in our region and not the people. And we shall stop at nothing until our goal is achieved.”
Buhari has extended a multi-million dollar amnesty signed with militants in 2009 but upset them by ending generous pipeline protection contracts.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo visited the damaged Forcados terminal on Friday.
Sources have said repair work on the pipeline feeding Forcados crude oil to the export terminal is expected to take until June. But the vice president’s statement said repair work was expected to end in May. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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250,000 bpd sabotage? There are serious issues on too many fronts in this country sef. And all the govt knows how to do is make speeches or issue statements. Mostly from abroad. God help us.
ReplyDeleteIt is ur own poeple that marginalised u not nigerian gv't and if you continue you will be killed like BH period, bcoz this time Nigeria is fully ready against you.
ReplyDeleteWe shall see. Thank GOD Boko haram is going, at least the soldiers will have new assignment post to kill and earn allowances.
ReplyDeleteThese people will blow up pipelines, pollute their own land and waterways, and then go and call CNN to come and see how oil companies pollute their land. It is the height of hypocrisy and a case of cutting your nose to spite your face.
ReplyDeleteI hope Green Peace is taking note because they are the ones who would come and accuse the Nigerian government and oil companies of pollution - pollution caused deliberately by the people themselves.
DeleteThe oil is ours(Niger Delta). You people are stealing our God given resources to develop north and southwest notably Lagos and Abuja. Get off our land you parasites and face your cocoa and groundnut or millets. Ivory is relying on cocoa for export, why can't you people do the in southwest. Our oil companies are full of yorubas, Hausas and igbos. Leave Niger Delta because we're tired of being called Nigerians. The cheating is too much from these three tribes especially the northerners and westerners
ReplyDeleteMumu nonsense
DeleteThe oil is ours(Niger Delta). You people are stealing our God given resources to develop north and southwest notably Lagos and Abuja. Get off our land you parasites and face your cocoa and groundnut or millets. Ivory is relying on cocoa for export, why can't you people do the in southwest. Our oil companies are full of yorubas, Hausas and igbos. Leave Niger Delta because we're tired of being called Nigerians. The cheating is too much from these three tribes especially the northerners and westerners
ReplyDeleteNiger deltians are the problems of Niger delta areas and their leaders are fully aware of this. until their youths and called together and properly guided, their problems will persist even if they were given the freedom to manage their resources. I'm a Niger delta man living in Lagos.
ReplyDeleteIf you like post it Nigeriaeye
ReplyDeleteIf they like, they should blow up all the pipes and see who will suffer it most.
ReplyDeleteWe are here watching