A militant group which identified itself as Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate on Tuesday blew a crude oil delivery line belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company in Ughelli North Council Area of Delta State.
The militant claimed responsibility for the bombing of the pipeline which passed through Afiesere- Iwhrenene communities of the local government area in a statement signed by one Aldo Agbalaja which was sent to journalists on Tuesday morning.
The militant group, one of the many to emerge at the back of the well known Niger Delta Avengers, claimed that it blew up the facility at about 1am on Tuesday.
“As a mark of our faith to totally grounding the Nigerian oil economy, the gallant “Opudo” strike forces brought down the Afiesere- Iwhrenene major delivery line in Ughelli North, leading to the UPS/UQCC operated by NPDC/SHORELINES at about 1am today 13th september 2016.
“The Niger Delta is not a conquered territory and our people have never succumbed to intimidation before, rather we match force with the oppressor’s brutality.
“The Nigerian government should already know that the people of this part are not fools, who will not be able to see when they are being treated with disdain.”
The group said the attack was carried out as part of ‘Operation Crocodile Tears’, a planned series of attacks on oil facilities, which it declared earlier while threatening it will will carry out more attacks in the coming days.
It therefore reiterated its call to those living and working around oil companies within the upland region of the Niger Delta to vacate the areas to avoid being injured during attacks, warning that, “For the last time, leave these areas if you live around them and if you love your lives.”
There has been no independent confirmation of the claim of the group as at the time of writing this story.