Militant Threat / Nigeria 01-210519

THREAT AGAINST OIL COMPANIES

 
Event: Militant threats
 
Date and Time: 20^th May 2019
 
Location: Niger Delta Region, Nigeria
 
Description: A militant group called the “Niger Delta Republic Fighters” or “The Network of Niger Delta Republic Fighters” (depending on source) have released a statement ordering all oil companies
and multinationals to leave the Niger Delta region by 29^th May 2019, and that it will declare a Niger Delta Republic on 1^st June 2019.

 

The group have stated that the “selective maltreatment of the Niger Delta people”, the removal from office of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen and Mathew Seiyeifa as Director of the DSS and “no single
viable project executed by the federal government in the Niger Delta” are the main reasons for their ultimatum, as well as alleged fraud committed by the Buhari administration during recent presidential elections.

  

In their press release statement, the group identified the following locations as potential targets:

• Port Harcourt Airport
• Onshore oil platforms
• Offshore oil platforms

 

The group have stated that they will make “further declarations and directive soon”.

 

Analysis: This is the first appearance of this group, and whilst there is a large proliferation of weapons in the region, and a certain amount of local support for an independent Niger Delta Republic,
it is unlikely that a new group has the ability to take over a strategic location such as Port Harcourt airport.

 

However, militancy and community conflict has rapidly risen since national elections in February, with a high level of threat against expatriate employees and contractors of oil firms in the region,
with a spate of kidnappings over the last 30 days, and therefore all expatriates and their employers in the region should operate with a high level of armed security in the area and be vigilant about any further threats against employees (expatriate and local)
and sites that are possible targets (oil and gas installations and strategic sites such as airports).