The Niger Delta Avengers on Saturday claimed responsibility for the destruction of a major oil pipeline in the Niger Delta, breaking a ceasefire the militant group had declared a month ago.
In a statement, NDA spokesman Mudoch Agbinibo said the group attacked the Bonny pipeline in Rivers State on Friday as “a wake up call”, expressing frustration with the negotiations the militants have been holding with authorities.
Agbinibo said the NDA was “still in favour of the dialogue” but accused the government of creating “shameful scenes obtainable in Nollywood acts”, a reference to Nigeria’s huge film industry, accusing authorities of intimidation and blackmail.
“There has been no progress and no breakthrough,” he said.
The Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which operates the pipeline, said the damage was being investigated.
“I can’t categorically tell you if it was an attack,” a company source told AFP, adding that a statement would be issued following an investigation.
The NDA, active in the restive Niger Delta since the start of the year, announced on August 19 that it was laying down its weapons and resuming talks with the government.
Targeting oil giants including Shell, Exxon and Chevron, it had hammered the Nigerian economy with months of attacks on vital oil and gas infrastructure, reducing output by a third at a time when global prices are already punishingly low.
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