The Niger Delta Avengers have said they resumed attacks after halting hostilities to pursue talks with the government, Reuters reports.
The militants, who said they attacked the Bonny crude export line on Friday night, have in previous months launched assaults which have cut crude production, which was 2.1 million barrels per day at the start of the year, by around a third.
Reuters reported that the group said in a statement on its website, that it “brought down oil production activities at the Bonny 48 inches crude oil export line” through its “strike team”.
Reuters, which quoted them in its report, said it was unable to immediately independently verify the details.
The Avengers said the attack was a “wake up call” for the government, which it accused of intimidating youths in the region since the ceasefire began.
“While we were promised that the concerns of the Niger Delta will be addressed once a truce is declared, the activities of the government and her agents are not assuring enough, there has been no progress,” the group said.
However, the statement added that the organization was “still in favor of dialogue and negotiations”.
Earlier this month the Avengers told Reuters there had been no contact with the government since the group agreed to cease hostilities.
On Friday President Muhammadu Buhari said in New York that treasury looters had recruited militants in the Niger Delta to cripple Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking to Nigerian professionals at a meeting in New York, the president said “those who stole Nigeria dry are not happy” with his government’s efforts to restore the country to its glory.
“They recruited militants against us in the Niger Delta, and began to sabotage oil infrastructure.
“We lose millions of barrels per day, at a time when every dollar we can earn counts,” he said.
__________
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2015 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.
