The Niger Delta Avengers militant group said it has bombed three oil pipelines in southern Nigeria, an attack it said would lead to a production loss of 300,000 barrels per day in the OPEC-member nation.
Attacks on pipelines by several militant groups have slashed Nigeria’s oil production helping to tip the country into recession as it struggles to adapt to the low price of crude globally.
The Niger Delta Avengers, blamed for a wave of such attacks since the start of the year, said the latest bombing was to register its displeasure with way the government was handling grievances in the oil region.
“At about 11.45 pm November 15, 2016, our Elite Strike Team 03 struck Nembe 1, 2 and 3 truck line operated by Agip, Oando and Shell with supply capacity of 300,000 barrel per day to Bonny export terminal in Bayelsa State,” the NDA said in a statement late Tuesday.
“We are only reiterating our strong resolve that time is running (out) against the Nigerian government, that there is doom ahead,” it said.
“The Nigerian government needs our cooperation more than we need the government as it concerns the extraction of the crude oil and hydrocarbon resources in our God-given land,” it said.
There was no immediate confirmation of the attacks from the government.
Nigeria has deployed troops to end the renewed insurgency in the region and has initiated peace talks with the oil rebels.
But divisions between rival militant groups appear to be making it hard for the government to strike a lasting peace deal.
A 2009 amnesty deal with militants helped end sabotage, but the violence reignited after President Muhammadu Buhari’s cash-strapped government temporarily ended amnesty payments and charged a prominent warlord with graft.
AFP
