Niger Delta Avengers NDA issues two week ultimatum to operators of oil concessions

The Nigeria militant groups known as the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), a group from the oil rich Niger Delta area of Nigeria on Thursday issued a two-week ultimatum to owners and operators of oil concessions in the region to shut down their businesses and evacuate all their staff or face a “bloody attack”.

In a statement by the group’s spokesperson, ‘Col Mudock Agbinibo’, warned Chevron not to embark on the repair of the valve blown up last week, or several casualties would be recorded during any confrontation.
“To owners and operators of these oil blocks in our region, the Niger Delta Avengers is giving you two weeks ultimatum to shut down your operations and evacuate your staff.
“If at the end of the ultimatum, you are still operating, we will blow up all the locations. It will be bloody. So just shut down your operations and leave,” the group warned.
“There is a rumour that oil has been discovered in the North-east. How will you feel if this new found oil is being managed by Niger Deltans. We are very sure the Niger Deltans won’t even have 2 per cent of the oil blocks if oil is really found in the North-east. If you don’t shut down, we will shut your stations permanently for you,” the group threatened.
“Be informed that if we decide to strike, it is going to be bloody.
“We are ready to destroy more pipelines, we won’t only destroy pipelines, but will bring the fight to your tank farm and your headquarters in Lekki, Lagos (Chevron). If you continue to undermine us and go ahead with the repair works, you won’t see us coming but we are coming for you,” the militants said.

Also the group took a swipe at former militant leader, Mr Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, stressing that the ex-militant does not have the interest of the region at heart.
“To ex-agitators of the likes of Tompolo, we know why you people are after us. Our agitation is more civilised than yours.
“Unlike you (ex-agitations) that were into kidnapping, killing Nigeria soldiers, engaging in piracy of vessels and tanker hijacking, we are able to carry out all our operations without killing a fly.
“We have sophisticated arms far better than what you used to have during your kidnapping days,” the group revealed.
The group claimed that it has its spies in the Nigerian military, noting that all the plans of the security forces were being divulged to its members.
“To the President of Nigeria, Buhari, we are sure you have not been to the creeks of the Niger Delta before and 90 per cent of your cabinet does not know what the region looks like. You think the Niger Delta region is full of animals that are going to frustrate your government,” the group stated.

The Nigerian Navy also on Thursday issued a warning to the militant. The new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba, warned the militants against further bombing of oil facilities in the region.
Do you think this is a mere threat?