Nigeria has been hit by growing unrest in the country’s oil-producing south by a new militant group calling itself the Niger Delta Avengers.

Here is what is known about them:

–What’s the story so far? –

The Avengers describe themselves as young, well-educated “worthy outlaws” and have since early 2016 been attacking Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, helping drag production to 20-year lows. They demand an independent state and want international oil companies out of the region.

– Who are they? –

“Even the Nigerian security services are not 100 percent sure what they are up against,” Dirk Steffen, from the Denmark-based Risk Intelligence firm, told AFP. Still, given their ability to execute attacks on critical oil and gas infrastructure, it’s likely some members were part of former militant organisations, he added. But the group’s level of organisation is under debate. “The Avengers may not be a defined group of people, except for a core of maybe 100-150 people or so,” said Steffen.

– Why now? –

In 2009, Nigeria reached a ceasefire with militant groups which previously disrupted oil production and introduced an amnesty programme. That gave former rebels a monthly stipend and jobs training in the oil industry as welders, divers and technicians. But after the economy took a nosedive following the crash in global oil prices, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has struggled to pay for the amnesty programme. He has even hinted at winding it down, making some 30,000 ex-militants on the payroll angry. He has also ended lucrative security contracts with former militants to protect pipelines.

– What else?

Buhari, from the majority Muslim north, has charged prominent politicians and ex-militants from the oil-rich mostly Christian south with corruption. That’s stoked longstanding animosity between the north and the south — an opposition stronghold — with some criticising his anti-graft fight as a “political witch-hunt”.

– What makes them different? –

Like previous militant groups, the Avengers want a greater share of oil revenue, amnesty payments, and clean-up and compensation for spills. But they also have a series of political demands that culminate in the creation of an independent Niger Delta state. They demand the release of pro-Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu, who has been imprisoned on charges of “treasonable felony”, and say members of Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) should face corruption trials like the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

– Who supports them? –

“The Avengers and other groups that have popped up in recent months are likely getting some support from former and current PDP members,” Philippe de Pontet, Sub-Saharan Africa analyst at risk consultancy firm Eurasia Group, said in a recent report. “It was always expected that there would be backlash to the Buhari administration in the region. If anything, the surprise is that the first 10 months of Buhari’s term were as quiet as they were.”

– What have they attacked? –

The Avengers’ attack on Shell’s Forcados underwater flow line in February used divers, showing they have the skills and knowledge of oil infrastructure to target areas that will significantly halt production. Other attacks include the sabotage of Chevron’s offshore Okan gas valve platform, and bombings of Eni’s infrastructure and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines, which provide gas to Lagos for power generation.

– Why does it matter? –

Nigeria has budgeted for production of 2.2 million barrels per day this year but the attacks have cut output to 1.4 million bpd, according to the country’s junior oil minister Emmanuel Kachikwu. The sabotage couldn’t have come at a worse time, with Nigeria, which normally depends on oil export sales for 70 percent of government revenue, on the brink of a recession.

Internationally, Nigeria’s oil disruption — along with unrest in Libya and wildfires in Canada — has pushed up the price of the commodity around the world.

– What’s the government response?

Buhari said last weekend he is going to “re-engineer” the amnesty programme, which could be an olive branch to the militants. At the same time, however, he is sending more troops to the creeks and swamps of the Niger delta region. There are fears a heavy-handed response will breed more discontent and attract more people to join the avengers.

: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/niger-delta-avengers-2/

Ask again

oo

Nigerians try to solve your problems amicably, we love you guys, we love your movies, we love your artist, we love your foods and a while lot of other things.

With love from a French sister.

Niger Delta Avengers = Criminals of Niger Delta Origin.


They do not represent the greater peoples of the Niger Delta.

Their activities are not sanctioned by the Greater peoples of the Niger Delta.

Their objective is selfish and personal and does not reflect the yearnings of the Greater Niger Delta Peoples.

They are those people SCAMMED by the name called "Nigeria" of their natural resources and are now agitating to free themselves from the EPIC scam of 1914


You can like but Please, don't quote me, rather post your own view

Dialogue and negotiation will do a world of good to the federal government in putting an end to it instead of the current use of force

when GEJ was the president,PDP said APC were behind boko haram. Therefore PDP are behind the Niger Delta SCAvengers.
If you doubt me as Tonyebarcanista,omenka and Passingshot

I know dem

Freedom fighters.

in fact am tired of saying this things
U want resource control, the president doesn't have power to grant that only the national assembly can, and Niger Delta has 27 senators.. . And over 60 rep members
U want confab report implemented go through ur repsentatives, the president don't have power to grant that, thought the schooled abroad??

As for my brother Kanu, and Tompolo, the law is the law they must face the law, only a presidential perdon can save them

Niger Delta region is not less developed than any region in Nigeria, in fact it's the most developed region

As for this boys, when they are finally arrested, the should be used as examples why no one should challenge the government

They live in my Area in Warri..

K

I don't have any proof but some how I believe James Ibori maybe the person behind them. That nigger is very intelligent and smart.
Aside Ibori I don't see any smart guy in that region. The rest can be bought like how APC bought Amechi

They are criminals and terrorists.

But still wait, lemme ask the oracle.

Irate, lousy and lazy youths whose elders has eaten their futures with theirs now awakened by their loss of power, loss of stipend from Abuja, no more business as usual and access to weapons and ammunition.

Do good for good to come your way

One can only engage in hypothesis; It is the job of the police and the military to unmask them.

They are the 5% whom PMB promised (on international TV) to marginalise.

Mlle queenzena23 ça va?

queenzena23:
Nigerians try to solve your problems amicably, we love you guys, we love your movies, we love your artist, we love your foods and a while lot of other things.
With love from a French sister.

Jesus Christ!! You're damn gorgeous. I dont usually do this

They are politicians.
corrupt politicians are using them 2 fight back.
In buhari voice Niger delta avengers are not from 9ja

My brother Good luck Ebele Jonathan and Wike or wicked of Port Harcourt are the sponsorer of this sect. The truth will surface soon.

Anyone interested in knowing who the NDA are should go to the Creeks.

If they don't bomb everything then they are baskard. I am waiting for when they will start bombing their houses by the time they might have finished bombing all oyel pipes

We are the AVENGERS, not revengers

They are all miscreant sponsored by the the past administration corrupt cohorts and swines who should be investigated and fished out sentenced for treasonable offence!!!!

This question is yet to get an answer from even google not to talk of me

True federalism or nothing

olu falae: no confab report,no nigeria.

Even apc pre 2015 elections promised TRUE FEDERALISM and tinubu threw his weight behind a SNC and not gej's national confab.
Now they are in power its all lai mohammed.

.......trying to analyse this.