Militant Threat / Nigeria 01-050121

THREAT AGAINST OIL & GAS AND SHIPPING

 

Event: Militant threats

 

Date and Time: 5 January 2021

 

Location: Niger Delta, Nigeria

 

Description: A militant coalition known as the
Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) has pulled out of peace negotiations with the Nigerian government and threatened oil and gas infrastructure and foreign vessels calling at ports in the Niger Delta.

 

The group threatened that from 7 January 2021, its “strike force units” would attack and destroy assets involved in the lifting and transport of oil in the Niger Delta region. The group
stated that “Major vessels and ships are advised to withdraw their services to Warri Escravos waters, to Bonny NLNG Port Harcourt waters from the Gulf of Guinea to Nigeria waterways henceforth. Therefore, any of the ships and the vessels that refuses to comply
with our directive will meet the firepower attacks from the strike force units of the RNDA”.

 

The group called this threat “Operation No Mercy Alfa Piper zero oil”.

 

Analysis: The RNDA have previously endorsed President Buhari, however over the 2020 tensions have escalated in the Niger Delta, with groups becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of investment in the Niger Delta region from the federal
government, despite the region’s oil funding much of the country’s infrastructure and economy. They are one of the more vocal and consistent groups in the region with regular statements since 2017. The next week should be followed closely for any updates on
this to see whether it is a tactic to strong arm in peace talks, or a genuine threat.

 

ARC will update when further information is received.