A militant group, Niger Delta Liberation has attacked an oil facility around junction 19 Dibi Abiteye flow station.
A surveillance staff for one of the firms operating in the area confirmed the development to the Vanguard, saying no life was lost .
According to the source who does not want his name in print the incident occured at about 2am, adding that their boat drove past the area about fifteen minutes before the attack.
” It happened around Junction 19 Dibi. Yesterday night around 2am. After the surveillance just patrolled passed the place to Well 3. From junction 19 to Well 3 is about 800 meters. The people came with 200 horsepower for the attack. The surveillance uses 75 horse power. They blew the pipeline. We are still investigating the attack.”, he said.
Secretary of the militant group Emmanuel Tagbanaraewumi in a statement said the attack was the begining of several attacks to come on oil facilities which they code named ” Operation chevron dragnet”.
The statement alleged failures on the part of oil giant Chevron to meet some of their demands.
It reads : “We had earlier made demands for the unconditional conversion of VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6 amongst others and these demands were not attended to.
“The movement is bringing to the notice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and Chevron in particular, that we are in support of these calls and therefore announce the launch of an operation CHEVRON DRAGNET.
“The operation CHEVRON DRAGNET, has become unavoidable, because Chevron had refused to listen to her host communities and organizations calling for the implementation of Local Content Law and allocate to her the rightful quarter of the ongoing Chevron Nigeria Limited recruitment by a consulting firm.
“Recall how we claimed responsibility for several attacks against oil facilities in the Warri area since July 2023. Our biggest feast, was the Dibi to Olero Gas Line Blast at Junction 19 on June 18, 2024.
“Through the disruption of all oil exploration activity, we pledge to communicate with Chevron in their own language.
“We will not provide any ultimatum or timeline for the operations, as was evident in our previous press statements.
“As long as Chevron decides to keep mute and play unholy politics with the request from the host communities and organizations, we vow to support and back these calls with the language Chevron will understand.”
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Condemnation have trailed the action of the militants. A retired army Colonel who spoke to the Vanguard on ground of anonymity said it was sad that some people would want to resume hostilities in the Niger Delta again.
” It’s almost a decade we read of attack on oil facilities in the region. This should be discouraged. Whatever their grievances are they should reach out to dialogue without destroying facilities and polluting the areas”, he said.
A resident of a community close to the flow station who gave his name as Amos said it was unfortunate that some persons could go this far, adding that the incident had polluted the Rivers thus creating economic problems for fishermen.