Just In: Fresh hostility looms as N-Delta militants attack Agip oil facility

Suspected Niger Delta militant group the Bayan-Men has blown up an oil installation belonging to Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC, on Tuesday in Ogba-Egbema-Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The militants maintained that their action was caused by the company’s failure to deal directly with host communities in the area.

The angry militants said Agip is marginalizing host communities as there was always deliberate attempt to dishonored GMou and other social responsibilities.

A close source said the oil facility was still on flames on Saturday evening.

The militant General: “The only thing we want Agip to do is to deal directly with the 27 communities of Omoku, according to the Federal Government resolution.

“We don’t want Agip to be negotiating with anybody. They should deal with the communities. If they continue like this, what we have done now is small to what we will do if they continue.

“They should not keep us together and treat us like one. They should treat communities individually.

“We are not joking. We are not interested in killing anybody. Our interest is that they must do the right thing else we will keep blowing up their facilities. We are giving them 24 hours to start the process of doing the right thing.”

However, the Coordinator-General of Omoku Community Youth Leaders Forum, OCYLF, Comrade Ekeuku Pureheart, stated that the development was as a result of the failure of Agip to adhere to the demands of the people.

The Omoku youth president, stressed that the matter was simply for Agip to recognize the various communities that make up Omoku, narrating that the boys were threatening to carry out more attacks if Agip does not do the right thing.

According to the group: “Federal Government intervened a long time ago. Now some uncontrollable boys and some militia groups have blown up Agip oil well, OB5. Obiavu-5 is the name of the oil well.

“The boys are still threatening that if Agip does not engage directly with the communities of Omoku and give them what is due them that they will do more.

“We are calling on the Federal Government and other relevant agencies to intervene before things get out of hand. This may cause a drop in production. The government does not need any situation that will result in to further drop in production to occur.

“The group is saying enough is enough. Agip is working with few individuals in Omoku to oppress the people and the boys are saying they will no longer take that.”

He noted that till Sunday, Agip was still struggling to put out the ravaging fire on the facility.

Pureheart: “Agip is already there trying to bring down the flame. They are there with firefighters to bring the fire under control.

“The group is saying that Agip should deal with individual communities, that is what the law provides. Omoku is a cluster of communities. And the law says when you reach any land treat them differently and give them what is due them.”

“They should adhere to FG resolution of February 27th, 2021, and that agreement must be implemented in line with the Petroleum Industry Act. We are urging the FG to stop up to ensure that the agreement is implemented in full.”, they noted.