A militant group in the Niger Delta identified as Bayan-Men have blown up an oil facility belonging to the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Ogba/Egbema/Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the group attributed their action to the failure of the oil company to deal directly with their host communities.
Leader of the group, who gave his name as “General” of the Bayan-Men, in Port Harcourt, on Sunday, said the oil company had refused to deal with communities individually, employing divide-and-rule antics.
General threatened that if the firm continues with its method of community relations, they will not hesitate to unleash more action.
“The only thing we want Agip to do is to deal directly with the 27 communities of Omoku, according to the Federal Government resolution.
“We don’t want Agip to be negotiating with anybody. They should deal with the communities. What we have done now is small to what we will do if they continue.
“They should not keep us together and treat us like one. They should treat communities individually.
“We are not joking. We are not interested in killing anybody. Our interest is that they must do the right thing; else, we will keep blowing up their facilities. We are giving them 24 hours to start the process of doing the right thing,” the general said.
The Coordinator-General of Omoku Community Youth Leaders Forum (OCYLF), Ekeuku Pureheart, who confirmed the development, said it resulted from Agip’s negligence to adhere to the people’s demands.
According to him, “The Federal Government intervened a longtime ago. Now, some uncontrollable boys and some militia groups have blown up Agip oil well, OB-5. Obiavu-5 is the name of the oil well.
“The boys are still threatening that if Agip does not engage directly with the communities of Omoku and give them what is due them, they will do more.
“We are calling on the federal government and other relevant agencies to intervene before things get out of hand. This may cause a drop in production.
“The government does not need any situation that would result in a further drop in production.
“The group is saying enough is enough. Agip is working with a few individuals in Omoku to oppress the people, and the boys are saying they will no longer take that.”
There has been panic in the area following the renewed attack on oil facilities in Omoku.
