Niger Delta Avengers launch 5 attacks on major oil facilities

Attacks in the Niger Delta have pushed Nigerian crude production to 30-year lows, although the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said last week that output was rising because of repairs and a fall-off in attacks.

There was no immediate comment from Chevron which had seen its facilities the most attacked in the recent waves of violence launched by the militant group that severely disrupted Nigerian oil output and exports.

An official statement has not been released as regards to the account suspension by either Twitter or the Niger Delta Avengers but access to their account which they have used over the past months to communicate is now blocked.

Chevron has reported a drop in pressure from the Abiteye Crude Oil Pipeline.

Also an NNPC pipeline supplying crude to Warri refinery was also damaged Friday night.

It added, ” How can the president claim that he will rebuild the Niger Delta region whereas he is doing everything to annihilate us, whereas he is fanning emblem (sic) of discord in the region using his lieutenants.

NDA confirmed the attacks in a series of tweets in their twitter handle.

On June 13, the Avengers listed conditions necessary to begin dialogue with the government over ending their campaign, including a promise that oil firms should not extract oil or fix pipelines while the talks were ongoing.

Like previous militant groups before them, the Avengers are fighting for a greater share of the country’s oil revenues and greater political autonomy.

 Nigeria was the biggest oil producer in Africa until these attacks undermined production, allowing Angola to surpass it. Production now stands around 1.6 million barrels a day as opposed to about 2.2 million at the beginning of the year.

The latest attacks occurred just as Mr. Ibrahim Idris, acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was visiting the area where he assured the people of Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu kingdom of ad¬equate security.