The Defence Headquarters has warned against further attacks on oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta, and declared that it would deal ruthlessly with individuals or groups involved.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Rabe Abubakar.
According to Abubakar, the military will not hesitate to deploy available resources to deal decisively with any threats to the economic lifeline of the nation.
He said that the Defence Headquarters was aware of the emergence of a group in the Niger Delta that had vowed to cripple economic activities through pipeline vandalism and related acts.
“Perpetrators of such acts will be made to face the full wrath of the law regardless of their status in the society.
“The military will employ all available means within its Rule of Engagement to crush any individual or group that engages in destruction of assets and facilities of government in the Niger Delta.
“They will stand to regret the consequences of their actions.
“The whole world has seen what they are causing in terms of economic terrorism against the nation; they will be treated as criminals in line with the laws of the land,’’ the director said.
He assured oil companies in the region of the military and other security agencies’ commitment to the safety of their workers and assets.
He said that relevant agencies of government would continue to employ more proactive measures within the creeks and other places to contain acts of criminality in the affected areas.
The statement noted that those responsible for the recent attacks would be fished out and dealt with.
Recent attacks on oil and gas facilities by militants have heightened tension in the Niger Delta region.
