Despite the deployment of troops to the Niger Delta to curtail the growing attacks on oil and gas facilities by militants, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), in the early hours of wednesday blew up two more oil wells operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited in Delta State.
THISDAY reported that the incident took place before 4 am around Egbema creek in Warri North Local Government Area of the state.
The Bibi oil well RMP 23 and RMP 24, which were severely affected, are considered to be some of Chevron’s most prolific onshore oil wells in the western Niger Delta.
NDA, which had claimed responsibility for several attacks on oil installations in the wake of recent hostilities in the region, also claimed responsibility for the attack via Twitter.
It described the attack as a major feat for the group to prove the federal government wrong following last Saturday’s invasion of Gbaramatu communities.
The affected oil facilities were identified as Chevron Bibi oil well RMP 23 and RMP 24.
NDA, hours after the incident tweeted: “With the heavy presence of 100 gunboats, four warships and jet bombers, NDA blew up Chevron oil well RMP 23 and RMP 24 at 3.44 am this morning.
“This is to show the whole world that the Nigeria military is good at harassing innocent civilians. RMP 24 and RMP 23 are the Chevron swamp highest producing wells.”
When contacted, Mr. Sola Adebawo, Manager, Communications Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria, said in an email: “Thank you for your inquiry. However, we will not comment on security matters. The safety of our people remains our number one priority.”
But a coalition of youths drawn from oil and gas producing communities in Delta State condemned the violent activities of the NDA.
The youths drawn from Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri and Ndokwa in the state, said the militant group does not enjoy their blessings, warning them to desist, as the region does not belong to the Ijaw ethnic nationality alone.
In a joint communiqué issued yesterday by Terry Obieh, Esimaje Awani, Benjamin Onwubodu and Egbo Okemena, Presidents of Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ndokwa and Isoko youths, condemned the recent attacks on oil facilities in the region.
“We also know that the so-called Avengers do not represent the reasonable Ijaw ethnic nationality whom they try to muddy through their shadowy disposition.
“The Ijaw ethnic nationality has since submitted to and continues to benefit from the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
“Their various associations have also issued statements to this effect. We therefore find it preposterous for a band of misguided fellows claiming God knows what nationality, to be unleashing daylight violence on the entire region while giving the entire region a very bad and unprintable name,” they stated.
The communities added: “You cannot engage in one wrong to cure another wrong, and to that extent the purported Avengers’ struggle is actuated by an over arching ambition with which we will not be identified.
“There are more peaceful ways to draw the attention of government to a cause, however germane, and not through the unconscionable and mindless destruction of the facilities that serve the entire nation.”
Posted by Janice Johnson
