NDRS Militant Group Makes new Demands

NDRS militant group makes new demands

The NDRS is a new militant group that emerged in Imo State and has reportedly claimed responsibility for two attacks on oil installations

It emerged after lawmakers in the state queried the reason for the exclusion of the state from the list of troubled states to dialogue with the federal government on issues of militants

The new group said it was prepared to launch more attacks and warned oil companies to evacuate their staff from state

Nigeria may be in for another trouble as a new militant, Niger Delta Red Squad (NDRS), has emerged in Imo state, southeastern Nigeria.

File photo of militants in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria

The new group claimed responsibility for the bombing of two pipelines belonging to Elf Oil Company at Awara, Ohaji Egbema local government area of the state further threatening to attack Shell pipelines in Oguta local government area. It warned that it would shut down all oil wells in the state.

According to The Nation, the group emerged just about two weeks after lawmakers raised questions on why the state was excluded from the ones which the federal government had listed for dialogue.

The government reportedly made the move to dialogue with militant groups in the Niger Delta region hoping that this would result in lasting peace in the oil-rich area of the country. The government said it had reached a ceasefire agreement with the militants, but the Niger Delta Avengers has denied such an agreement adding that its leadership is not aware of it.

The report said the lawmakers had argued that the state was deliberately sidelined by those facilitating the dialogue because of its youths are peaceful. They warned that the exclusion could trigger militancy similar to what was happening in other Niger Delta states.

Quoting a statement posted on a Facebook account belonging to the group, NDRS said it has what it takes to carry out its threat. It said it would continue with attacks until the oil-producing areas of the state are given what rightfully belongs to them further warning oil companies to evacuate their workers with immediate effect. Meanwhile, Aboy Francis Muturu, an ex-militant leader, has been arrested by soldiers suspected to be from the 4th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Benin, the Edo state capital.