*Attacks could metamorphose into another Ijaw-Itsekiri war, Itsekiris warns
Indications emerged yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari may have
given the military high command marching orders to stop the continued
vandalisation of oil installations in Delta communities by militants
even as a partial state of emergency is already in full force in most of
the oil-rich communities, Daily Correspondents has learnt.
Already the military, yesterday, deployed hundreds of army and naval personnel into the creeks of Delta State to contain the militants with movement of persons and vehicles restricted in some parts of Delta State, sources have told Daily Correspondents.
A source, who spoke from one of the Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, at about 5.30 pm said, “The situation is not clear yet, but there are gunboats everywhere. It is a combined team of soldiers and navy people patrolling the creeks.
“Movement is restricted. The military personnel are going about to show their presence and scare the militants, who strike in the night and not in the daytime. But, at least, their presence has shown that the military was ready to confront them.”
The authorities, caught napping by the resumption of hostilities four days ago, reportedly saw the danger of allowing further bombings and mobilised to counter the militants.
After bombing the Escravos-Warri-Abuja-Lagos pipelines at about 10.00 pm on Thursday, the militants were emboldened to blow up Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL’s Utunana –Makaraba crude oil line at 10.30 pm on Friday and proceeded to bomb Olero gas line in the early hours of yesterday.
Their target, it is believed, is to cripple crude oil production and arm-twist the Federal Government.
Already, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, heavily hit by the Thursday and Friday attacks, was considering shutting down operations, even as workers have been restricted to their camps in the affected locations.
Attacks on oil installations in Delta State which started on Wednesday is believed to be a direct response in the wake of Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo's face-off with the EFCC.
The attacks entered the third day, yesterday, as militants blew-up major crude oil and gas pipelines belonging to the Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, Tank Farm in Warri South West Local Government Area of the state.
Earlier on Thursday, the Escravos - Warri - Abuja - Lagos pipelines came under attack.
Meanwhile Daily Correspondents also learnt that the Itsekiris had raised an alarm, yesterday, that the attacks could metamorphose into another Ijaw-Itsekiri war.
These acts of sabotage are coming at a time when global crude oil price continues its downward move.
More to follow.
Already the military, yesterday, deployed hundreds of army and naval personnel into the creeks of Delta State to contain the militants with movement of persons and vehicles restricted in some parts of Delta State, sources have told Daily Correspondents.
A source, who spoke from one of the Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, at about 5.30 pm said, “The situation is not clear yet, but there are gunboats everywhere. It is a combined team of soldiers and navy people patrolling the creeks.
“Movement is restricted. The military personnel are going about to show their presence and scare the militants, who strike in the night and not in the daytime. But, at least, their presence has shown that the military was ready to confront them.”
The authorities, caught napping by the resumption of hostilities four days ago, reportedly saw the danger of allowing further bombings and mobilised to counter the militants.
After bombing the Escravos-Warri-Abuja-Lagos pipelines at about 10.00 pm on Thursday, the militants were emboldened to blow up Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL’s Utunana –Makaraba crude oil line at 10.30 pm on Friday and proceeded to bomb Olero gas line in the early hours of yesterday.
Their target, it is believed, is to cripple crude oil production and arm-twist the Federal Government.
Already, Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, heavily hit by the Thursday and Friday attacks, was considering shutting down operations, even as workers have been restricted to their camps in the affected locations.
Attacks on oil installations in Delta State which started on Wednesday is believed to be a direct response in the wake of Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo's face-off with the EFCC.
The attacks entered the third day, yesterday, as militants blew-up major crude oil and gas pipelines belonging to the Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, Tank Farm in Warri South West Local Government Area of the state.
Earlier on Thursday, the Escravos - Warri - Abuja - Lagos pipelines came under attack.
Meanwhile Daily Correspondents also learnt that the Itsekiris had raised an alarm, yesterday, that the attacks could metamorphose into another Ijaw-Itsekiri war.
These acts of sabotage are coming at a time when global crude oil price continues its downward move.
More to follow.
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