There is real danger in the Niger Delta which if not curtailed now may lead to full blown upheaval. While the Niger Delta Avengers, a new militant group blowing up pipeline with clinical accuracy, have threatened zero oil production with more strikes at pipelines and allied facilities, the federal government has opted for full military onslaught to deal with the situation and rein in the militants.
Aside the Operation PULO Shield troops patrolling the water ways and the upland areas of the Niger Delta, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed additional aircraft to the Niger Delta in support of the military operations code named “OPERATION PULO SHIELD”.
“The deployment was necessitated by the recent spate of attacks on the nation’s oil and gas installations by the new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). The additional platforms, comprising fighter aircraft, helicopter gunship and surveillance aircraft, are intended to enhance the capability of the NAF to undertake offensive air operations and intelligence gathering in support of the surfaces forces.
“Since the recent deployment the NAF has increased air operations around critical infrastructure in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States. These include but not limited to Escravos, Forcados in Delta State; Bonga oil field, Agbami offshore and Brass in Bayelsa; Bony in Rivers; Qua Iboe Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, and Opuekeba in Ondo State”, a statement signed by Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, Director of Public Relations & Information has said.
Meanwhile, the NAF has urged members of the public not to panic at the sight of low level flying aircraft but to go about their legitimate businesses. The NAF also enjoined any member of the public to avail it or other security agencies with useful information about the whereabouts or activities of the militant group.
However, the defiant Avengers have issued more threats, saying they are unperturbed by the arsenal of the federal government. They have so far destroyed facilities belonging to oil majors including Shell, Agip and Chevron. Shell has confirmed leakages in its facilities aftermath of the attack by the Avengers.
