Niger Delta in Crisis as 2 Ex-Pats Dead Following 5 Fresh Attacks
Gunmen in Nigeria opened fire on an Italian Vessel transporting Eni SpA workers in the Niger Delta on Wednesday. At least two members died following the attack with their bodies being recovered on the 1st of July.
The attack on June 29th was during routine transport operations in the Nembe area. Eni released a statement confirming that three members of the Italian vessels crew jump overboard to escape the gunfire. Two of the three crew member’s bodies have since been recovered.
This incident is only one of many fresh attacks by Rebels in the escalating Niger Delta Crisis and comes as the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) claim responsibility for incapacitating five oil facilities including Chevron, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
There has also been documented reports of local fatalities, with two soldiers and six civilians being killed on an attack on a houseboat near Omadino/Idjere junction in Warri. The Rebels attacked the vessel by surprise, killing all on board. A seperate source documented over 15 people killed suspecting 10 soldiers were involved. The houseboat was operated by the NPDC but sank following the attack. The NDA are suspected but have not yet claimed responsibility.
The increasing frequency and violence of the attacks paints a clear picture that the situation in the Niger Delta is quickly spiralling out of control with Rebels not only fighting against Oil Companies and against Government forces, but also fighting with each other, as two separate rebel groups struggle to assert their power in the region.
