The Nigerian Navy has said that it is ready to protect the nation’s critical assets against attacks from members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) who recently threatened to resume attacks on oil installations.
The chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Ibo-Ete Ibas, made the statement on Monday, November 6, after inspecting facilities at the Naval Engineering College, Sapele, Delta state, Vanguard reports.
Ibas assured multinational oil companies of adequate protection of their staff and oil facilities in the Niger Delta region despite the recent threat by Avengers.
He said the navy had taken proactive measures to ensure that the waterways were safe for international oil companies to carry out their legitimate duties in the Niger Delta region.
“Nigerian Navy has implemented various security measures to curb militant insurgency, sea pirates, kidnapping and illegal oil bunkering in the region. For sea fearers who use the sea, Navy is ready to protect seafarers who are on legitimate businesses,” he said.
“We will work in collaboration with other sister security agencies to fight against pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering and sea-piracy as well as protection of the international territorial waterways.”
Meanwhile, Chief Edwin Clark, the national leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and other Niger Delta leaders on Sunday, November 5, appealed to Niger Delta Avengers to end its threat to recommence bombing of oil facilities in the region.
Vanguard reports that Chief Clark slammed the federal government for creating doubts and suspicion in the minds of people and militants with its sloppy handling of the 16-point demand of PANDEF submitted to President Buhari, on November 1.
