A militant group that has claimed multiple attacks on oil and gas installations in Nigeria is now ready to threaten shipping.
In a statement, the “high command” of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) also said it was willing to enter peace talks with the government, but only if independent mediators are appointed.
It added: “The NDA high command is restating our commitment to attack the interest of oil corporation and international refineries operators that bring in vessels to the Niger delta territory to buy our oil that every successive government have refused to use and reapply the proceeds towards any development in the region since 1958.”
If its demand are not met, the NDA said it will sink two of “their mother vessel[s]” as an example to others.
“They should not undertake any repair of pipeline, oil and gas facilities that is damaged or attacked by our forces during this period of 'Operation Red Economy' until and/or after the dialogue,” it added.
The group also said it will review its policy of not taking lives.
It added: “We are going to redirect and reactivate all our activities if the government, oil companies and their services firms don’t heed to these modest warnings of not carrying out any repairs works and suspend the buying of crude oil from our region as we await the right atmosphere that will engender genuine dialogue.”
