* Okowa appeals to Avengers to sheathe sword
WARRI-The Nigerian Navy today (Monday) has given reassurance to the multinational oil companies to protect their staff and oil facilities in the Niger Delta region, despite recent threat by the dreaded Niger Delta Avengers, a militant group which has vowed to cripple the economy again by carrying out massive bombing of oil facilities.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral, Ibok-Ete Ibas who after inspection of facilities at the Naval Engineering College in Sapele in Delta State, gave the assurance that nobody should panic as a result of threat from militants, saying that the Navy has the professional capacity to curtail the menace in the the Niger Delta region.
Vice Admiral Ibas said that the Nigerian Navy is capable of protecting the people and properties, including oil facilities in Niger Delta. He noted the Nigerian Navy has planted its men in strategic locations to ensure that the waterways is safe for International Oil Companies to carry out their legitimate duties in the Niger Delta region.
According to the Navy boss, ‘‘WE will work in collaboration with other sister security agencies to fight against pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering and sea-piracy as well as protection of the international territorial waterways’’
He noted that it is the responsibility of the Nigerian Navy to protect lives and properties in the waterways, noting that the Navy had already deployed strategies to curtail vandals and other criminal elements in the waterways.
His words “Nigerian Navy has implemented various security measures to curb militant insurgency, sea pirates, kidnapping and illegal oil bunkering in the region. For seafarers who use the sea, Navy is ready to protect seafarers who are on legitimate businesses”
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has sent a passionate appeal to the Niger Delta Avengers not to embark on further attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta.
Okowa made the appeal in a statement issued on Monday in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu wherein he noted that Deltans will lose more if the group make good their latest threat to withdraw from further cooperation with the federal government and begin massive attacks on oil facilities.
“We passionately appeal to the Niger Delta Avengers not to resume hostilities, because Deltans will be the greatest losers. We are barely recovering from the effect of previous attacks and it is our honest appeal that they still give peace a chance by allowing for peaceful engagements with the Federal Government and other stakeholders.
“This appeal for peace remains imperative, because without the atmosphere of peace, no meaningful negotiations and development can take place, adding “resumption of hostilities will not be in the interest of our people but a major set back to the plans and aspirations of the state.
