Niger Delta Militants Launch Attacks on Oil Infrastructure, …

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• Vow To Expel ‘Usurpers’ Amid Rivers Political Crisis

Bonny Amadi with Agency Report

Armed militants under the banner of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (M.E.N.D), from the Liberation Army of the Niger Delta and Bakassi (L.A.N.D. & B) reportedly carried out coordinated at- tacks on critical oil installations in Rivers State early Sunday, escalating tensions in the oil-rich region amid a deepening political crisis.

The assaults resulted in the destruction of the Ogada Brass Agip trunk line, which runs from Omoku to the Brass Agip terminal, at approximately 2:00 a.m.

Also targeted was a strategic location along the Oron River, behind the Maritime Academy, further signalling the group’s intent to disrupt national economic assets.

In a statement signed by the Operations Commander of L.A.N.D. & B — whose identity was withheld— the group declared the attacks as the opening salvo in a campaign aimed at expelling what they de- scribed as “usurpers of the people’s legitimate authority” from Rivers State.

We call upon all armed groups in Rivers State not to allow this affront pass without a fitting consequence,” the statement read, referring to the recent federal political intervention in the state.

“Follow-up statements and responses to enquiries if any will be issued by M.E.N.D.”

The attacks come in the wake of growing unrest in Rivers State following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s controversial declaration of a state of emergency in March.

The emergency rule was swiftly followed by the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and the entire state house of assembly.

The federal action, which the presidency justified on the grounds of “threats to democratic stability and governance,” sparked outrage among Fubara’s supporters and stoked fears of renewed militancy in the Niger Delta.

The federal government’s intervention, framed as a measure to restore order, has instead reignited militancy in the Niger Delta, where armed groups have long exploited political unrest to justify attacks on oil infrastructure.