Nigeria to intensify deployment in oil rich Niger Delta: official
Xinhua, June 5, 2016 Adjust font size:
The Nigerian Air Force has intensified deployment to the oil rich Niger Delta to contain the activities of militants, a top military official has said.
Nigeria's Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar, who disclosed this in northeast city of Yola on Saturday, said the move is to deal with the emerging threat of economic sabotage perpetrated by a group of criminals.
"We shall not relent nor rest our oars until we ensure the protection of every inch of the country's territory and infrastructure," he added.
Niger Delta Avengers, a new militant group, has been claiming responsibility for a string of attacks on oil and gas installations in the Niger Delta.
The group has launched several attacks on oil and gas infrastructure since February 2016, demanding a sovereign nation of the Niger Delta people.
Recent attacks on oil and gas facilities have harmed Nigeria's oil production, bringing it down to 1.4 million barrels per day. Endit