– A new militant group, the Red Scorpion, has carried out its threat to blow up Shell oil pipelines – The group attacked a Shell pipeline in Awara, Imo state, on Thursday – Andrew Enwerem, police spokesman in the state said they got report about the incident A new militant group, the Red Scorpion, reportedly blew up another gas pipeline owned by the Shell Petroleum Development Corporation in the oil rich community of Awara in Ohaji/ Egbema council area of Imo state on Thursday, June 23. This comes less than 48 hours after the group issued a threat that it would destroy oil pipelines because of the exclusion of its members from the federal government’s dialogue with Niger Delta militants, Daily Sun reports. The group had on Tuesday, warned oil companies to evacuate their workers with immediate effect, vowing to continue with attacks until the oil-producing areas of the state are given what rightfully belongs to them further warning. According to a source close to the leadership of the group, the attack was a warning that militants in Imo should no longer be sidelined by the federal government. READ ALSO: Military launches new operation to end militancy in Niger Delta However, Precious Okolobo, the public relations officer of the company said the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), which runs through Awara, Imo state at the Assa-Rumuekpe line, has been shut for repairs since June 8, following a leak at Okolo launch, Bonny in Rivers state. He added that they were investigating the incident. When contacted, Andrew Enwerem, the state command’s spokesman, said: “We got the report of 5u3 destruction of oil installation at Awara, but we are yet to know the extent of the damage.” The new militant group had earlier claimed responsibility for the bombing of two pipelines belonging to Elf Oil Company at Awara, Ohaji Egbema local government area of the state further threatening to attack Shell pipelines in Oguta local government area. In recent times, new militant groups have been emerging in the Niger Delta region and they all have various demands. A new militant group identified as the Niger Delta Volunteers (NDV), recently announced its presence in Akwa Ibom state, claiming responsibility for an attack on a gas pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), which supplies gas to ALSCON at Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom state. On June 8, a new militant group called the Ultimate Warriors of Niger Delta (UWND) emerged. The group demanded that give 60 percent oil blocks to the Niger Delta region.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/870517-less-48-hours-threat-new-militant-group-igboland-strikes.html
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