TENSION is simmering in the Niger Delta as the two week ultimatum given to owners of oil blocs in the region including high profile functionaries like Atiku Abubakar and Theophilus Danjuma to evacuate their staff and shut down operations ends today.
Over recent weeks, the new militant group the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has stepped up its campaign against oil companies operating in the region and a fortnight ago, it gave them all two weeks to leave the region. Although the government has been holding secret talks with the militant group, the negotiations are believed to have run into a hitch.
On May 12, NDA spokesperson, Col Murdoch Agbinibo, gave former defence minister General Theophilus Danjuma, former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other declared oil bloc owners two weeks to shut down operations or have themselves to blame. It is now feared that with the deadline not having being met, the militants could start blowing up the installations.
Alleged talks between the federal government and an NDA intermediary on how to end hostilities in the region are believed to have collapsed. Security agencies have also allegedly concluded plans to infiltrate the meeting of Ijaw youths today in Warri, called to enable them take a collective position on the NDA.
One security source said: “All security operatives in the country are currently on their toes following security reports that the Niger Delta Avengers has promised to resume hostilities after the expiration of its two-week ultimatum.”
Meanwhile, the people of Egbema in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State have refuted media reports that the NDA has its base in their community. Egbema Kingdom spokesman Jude Ukori, said whoever, said the base was in their region should identify the location.
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