The
Niger Delta Avengers, on Wednesday morning, blew up another Chevron oil well
despite the truce being offered by the Federal Government.
The
NDA has claimed responsibility for the series of attacks on oil facilities in
the region.
The
facility, identified as Dibi Flow Station, is operated by Chevron around Usor
village in the Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Local
residents confirmed on Wednesday that the incident occurred at about 1 am on
Wednesday.
A
prominent activist in the area, Mr. Graham Abulu, confirmed the incident in an
interview .
Abulu
said the loud explosions of the attack sparked panic among residents of the
area.
Another
source in the area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that that the
flow station burst into flame after the explosion.
A
senior military officer, who also did not want his name mentioned, also
confirmed the attack.
The
source said a technical team had already been dispatched to the spot of the
incident to assess the damage.
The
dreaded Niger Delta Avengers, which claimed responsibility for similar
incidents in the past, also claimed responsibility for the attack through its
tweeter handle, @NDAvengers.
“At
1am today, the @NDAvengers blow up(sic) Well RMP 20, belonging to Chevron, located
20 meters(sic) away from Dibi flow Station in Warri North LGA,” it stated.
The
group also denied agreeing any ceasefire deal with the Federal Government to
pave the way for negotiation.
“This
is to the general public: we’re not negotiating with any Committee. If Fed Govt
is discussing with any group, they’re doing that on their own,” the group said.
The
Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade Command of the Nigerian
Army, Benin, Captain Jonah Unuakhalu, said he was not aware of the incident,
but promised to confirm and get back to one of our correspondents.
But
the team, set up by the Federal Government to hold talks with the NDA, said it
had not commenced negotiation with the group.
A
top member of the team, who confided on Wednesday, said talks with the group
had not started because the terms and reference of the committee had not been
unveiled.
“You
mean modalities? No! It is not clear yet. They have not come out with the terms
of reference yet. We have not started,” the source added.
The
Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who announced the setting up
of the committee on Monday, said the government’s team would be coordinated by
the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He
listed the members of the committee to include the Minister of Niger Delta,
Usani Uguru; himself, traditional rulers and influential individuals from the
group.
Tags
Business