Just in: NDA calls off ceasefire, declares IOCs, installations persona non-grata
Anxiety has engulfed the oil-rich Niger Delta region which has witnessed relative peace since this year.
This is coming on the heels of an announcement by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), Friday afternoon on its website, that it has called off its ceasefire on oil installations and International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the region.
The statement signed by NDA’s spokesperson, Mudoch Agbinibo, averred that “We can assure you that every oil installation in our region will feel the warmth of the wrath of the Niger Delta Avengers”.
Business Hilights recalls that NDA had rained unprecedented attacks across several oil installations in Niger Delta region last year which frustrated Nigeria’s output and effectively fired the economy to recession.
According to the group, it is resuming attacks and bombardment due to observed poor sincerity by the current President Muhammadu Buhari administration on issues agreed during peace talks and promises for the Niger Delta.
Agbinibo also fingered the Minister of Transportation, and former Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, describing him as one of the government’s loyalists sabotaging the cause of Niger Delta development aspirations.
The terse statement further condemned a former top militant in the region, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, saying he had failed to live up to his leadership roles for those who seek absolute “emancipation” for the region.
It would be recalled that the intensity of attacks by NDA last year forced leading IOCs like Shell and others to postpone some of their budgeted investments and operations in the region.
It was not clear if the sudden return to hostilities by NDA is linked to the recent revelation by the named Minister, that Nigeria government has sealed a territorial waters security contract with an Israeli company.
The federal government is yet to react to the announcement coming barely some days after the end of Nigeria Army’s Crocodile Smile Operations in the region.
The Army had earlier ended its similar operations in the South East where controversies surrounded the one month activity.
