Security alert in Niger Delta as renegade militia group claim attacks on NNPC, Chevron crude and Gas lines

A major security alert among security formations in the Nine States of the Niger Delta region was yesterday triggered following the claim of responsibility by the new renegade Militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, for the Thursday bomb attacks on major oil and gas trunk lines in Bayelsa and Delta states.

 

The Crude and Gas trunk lines claimed to have been attacked by the Militant group include the Crude line feeds to the Warri and Kaduna refineries, the gas line feeds the Lagos and Abuja electricity power supply.

 

Also listed as Oil and Gas facilities hit by the group were the Well D25 in Abiteye. A major gas Well belonging to Chevron Nigeria Limited and also Alero, Dibi, Otumara and Makaraba flow stations that feed the Chevron tank farm out of operation

 

The Militant group, known as Niger Delta Avengers, in a statement sent to The New Diplomat via e-mail and signed by its spokesman, Col. Mudoch Agbinibo,declared that with the recent coordinated attacks carried out by its troops, the Warri and Kaduna refineries will be shut down and all cities that depends on the gas line for power will all be in total darkness like the creeks of the Niger Delta. 

 

“In same vein, the Niger Delta Avengers strike team 7 at same time 2200hours Thursday, May 5, 2016, blew up Well D25 in Abiteye. A major gas Well belonging to Chevron. And also blow up major pipe lines to effectively put the Abiteye, Alero, Dibi, Otunana and Makaraba flow stations that feed the Chevron tank farm out of operation. As at now Chevron operation in the Niger Delta is zero”. 

 

According to the Statement, the decision to embark on the wanton attacks of oil and gas facilities was partially due to the expiration of the three (3) days ultimatum given to Chief Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo to apologize to the Niger Delta Avengers over his recent public disassociation with the group and assurance letter to President Mohammad Buhari.

 

The statement of the group read in parts “at 2200hours Thursday, May 5, 2016, our strike team 4 hit the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) crude and gas lines The Crude line feeds the Warri and Kaduna refineries respectively, while the gas line feeds the Lagos and Abuja electricity power supply. With this development the Warri and Kaduna refineries will be shut down and all cities that depend on the gas line for power will all be in total darkness like the creeks of the Niger Delta”. 

 

“In same vein, the Niger Delta Avengers strike team 7 at same time 2200hours Thursday, May 5, 2016, blew up Well D25 in Abiteye. A major gas Well belonging to Chevron. And also blow up major pipe lines to effectively put the Abiteye, Alero, Dibi, Otumara and Makaraba flow stations that feed the Chevron tank farm out of operation. As at now Chevron operation in the Niger Delta is zero”. 

 

“Located some 100meters away from the blast Nigerian National Petroleum Coperation (NNPC) pipeline is a Military houseboat stationed there, to protect the oil pipelines. But we want you public to know that despite the heavy present of Military operatives our activities can’t be stop and it just waste of fund and time to let the Nigeria military protect oil installations”. 

 

“This is a clear warning to the all Niger Delta Politicians, Traditional rulers, Community leaders, and the likes of Tompolo to mind their business and leave the liberation of the Niger delta people to the Avengers. Those who believes taking sides with federal government to fight Niger Deltans is the best option. Avengers are here on ground, neither you nor the federal government can stop us. If you don’t stay clear and let us to carry out our activities we will bring the fight to your individual doorsteps. Our major goal is to cripple the Nigeria economy”. 

 

“We are using this medium to ask all Niger Deltans to take the war to all oil installations in their various communities because this is your war. THE NIGERIAN STATE IS LIKE THE BIBLICAL EGYPT, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION IS LIKE THE BIBLICAL PHARAOHS, PRESIDENT BUHARI IS LIKE THE EGYPTIAN PHARAOH RAMESSES, THE NIGER DELTA PEOPLE ARE LIKE THE JEWS WHILE THE NIGER DELTA AVENGERS IS MOSES. SO ALL WE ARE ASKING IS LET OUR PEOPLE GO (NIGER DELTANS)”. 

 

“Failing to heed to our demands, the Nigeria state is seeing what is happening to Chevron and Shell, the Nigerian elites will suffer in same vein. Know that Chevron and Shell is just the beginning . If the International oil companies and federal government of Nigeria thinks the Niger Delta Avengers are criminal as they claim and fails to meet our demands. The Niger Delta Avengers are going to activate its elite unit THE NIGER DELTA AIR FORCE code name strike team 1. The International Oil Companies will be our first target, all oil facilities including their offshore platforms eg Bonga Fpso, EA field and their tank farms such as Bonny tank farm, Escravos tank farm and Forcados tank farm”. 

 

“To the Nigeria military we understand you doing your job but in the process of doing your job remember you have family back home waiting for your return. The questions you have to ask yourselves are; does the Nigeria state worth it your life? Does the Nigeria state worth dying for?. Some of you are our brothers avoiding you is not sign of being lazy. If you dare harass our people we are going to face you. Especially, if you harass any community in search of Avengers. We will come after you and its going to be bloody and merciless. We are the Niger Delta avengers you (Nigeria Military) are not going to see us coming but we will get you”.