Imo State youths form militant group called Red Scorpion to join Niger Delta struggle

YOUTHS in Imo State have formed a new militant group called the Red Scorpion which has promised to follow on from the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) by blowing up oil pipelines and installations.

 

Over recent weeks, the NDA has stepped up the campaign of militancy against the Nigerian government, crippling the oil industry in the Niger Delta. Vowing to take the campaign further, Red Scorpion has already claimed responsibility for the blowing up of two pipelines belonging to Elf Oil Company in Awara area in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.

 

They  also threatened to attack pipelines belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company in Oguta Local Government Area as well as shut down all oil wells across the state. Yesterday, the Red Scorpion boasted that it had what it takes to carry out its threat to disrupt oil exploration in the area.

 

Red Scorpion also warned that until the oil producing areas in the state are given what rightfully belongs to them, the area will no longer be peaceful for oil companies to operate. It further warned all oil companies operating in the state to evacuate their workers with immediate effect or face the wrath of the boys.

 

Its threat is coming barely two weeks after lawmakers in the Imo State House of Assembly queried the exclusion of the state from the federal government’s proposed dialogue with oil producing states in the Niger Delta region. These lawmakers had expressed worry that such exclusion might spark off militancy and aggravate the prevailing tension in the region.