A newly emerged militant group has destroyed an oil pipeline in Delta State, Nigeria, pledging further assaults on the region’s infrastructure.
The Niger Delta Liberation Movement (NDLM), a newly emerged militant group, has claimed responsibility for the recent pipeline attack in Delta State.
The group, referred to as “Movement,” claimed responsibility for rupturing several pipelines in the Olero-Dibi-Abiteye Fields/Flow stations at approximately 2 a.m. on Friday.
The NDLM characterized the assault as “the initiation of ‘Operation Chevron Dragnet’,” cautioning that they will persist in targeting facilities involved in crude oil exploration activities in the Warri region until Chevron fulfills their demands.
This information was included in a press statement signed by the NDLM Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Tagbanaraewumi, and released to journalists in Warri on Friday.
The statement reads: “Movement initiates ‘Chevron Dragnet’: damages pipelines across the Olero-Dibi-Abiteye Fields in Delta.”
The blast pipelines, measuring six, eight, and ten inches in diameter, are used to transport various petroleum products including natural gas and crude oil.
These numerous explosions mark the commencement of operations code-named Chevron Dragnet.
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We guarantee a dramatic impact as we pledge to persist in targeting facilities involved in crude oil exploration throughout the Warri regions until Chevron takes appropriate action. This marks merely the beginning of Operation Chevron Dragnet.
The group stated that numerous host communities and organizations representing the Itsekiri people had requested Chevron Nigeria Limited to release its employment quota in the company’s current recruitment program, but their appeals have gone unanswered.
It stated, “We had previously demanded the unconditional conversion of VTP5/OTP2 and VTP6, among others, but these demands were not addressed.”
The Movement wishes to inform the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, and especially Chevron that we endorse these calls. Consequently, we are announcing the initiation of Operation Chevron Dragnet.
The Chevron Dragnet operation has become inevitable because Chevron ignored appeals from its host communities and organizations representing the Itsekiri people. These groups have been urging the company to implement Local Content Law and grant them their rightful share in the ongoing recruitment process conducted by a consulting firm called Dragnet for Chevron Nigeria Limited.
Remember how we took responsibility for several attacks on oil facilities in the Warri area starting from July 2023. Our most significant operation was the explosion of the Dibi to Olero Gas Line at Junction 19, which occurred on June 18, 2024.
By halting all oil exploration activities, we commit to engaging with Chevron in a language they understand.
We will not issue any ultimatums or timelines for the operations, as stated in our earlier press releases.
“We are committed to supporting the demands of the Itsekiri nation’s host communities and organizations, especially if Chevron continues to remain silent and engage in unjust politics.”
