*Niger Delta militants.
*Attacked pipeline not in use -JTF
*Troops make arrest
16 October 2016, Ughelli –- LESS than 24 hours after it attacked a crude oil delivery line supplying products to the Ughelli Quality Control Center, QCC, the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, NDGJM, Friday night said it has bombed the Oviri-Ogor delivery line to the QCC operated by the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC and Shoreline, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.
The attack is coming on the heels of the arrest of four suspects in connection with the last Thursday’s hit on the delivery line at Iwhremaro community, Ughelli by troops of the 222 Battalion where they are being held and undergoing interrogation according to a senior police officer at the Ughelli Area Command.
NDGJM in a statement by its spokesperson, self-styled General Aldo Agbalaja, explained that the attack was in further execution of its “Operation Hammurabi Code” which was launched with the Thursday’s attack. Giving details of Friday’s attack, Agbalaja said: “the Akuma Strike Team, at about 2300hour of Friday, October 14, 2016, bombed the Oviri-Ogor delivery line to the QCC in Ughelli.
“This is a message to, not just Shoreline and NPDC, the operators of this facility, but to all of you who own facilities in the upland area of our land and are still believing in the arms of flesh. “This shall be the state of affairs until all of you adjust to taking our land and the lives of our people seriously. The Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate is not kidding with anybody and anybody should not think this is just one of those coming around to beg for a morsel of bread. Start a real and genuine engagement of real grass rooted leaders from the region, not the divide-and-rule pattern, and this campaign shall cease.
…Warns Army against going after innocent people
“We, however, want to serve a warning to the Nigerian armed forces, don’t want to use this to start going after innocent community people. If you come in contact with us, it will not be a case of arrest, but a test of arms strength; such an encounter will undoubtedly result in a fight, so be warned.”
…Attacked line not in use- JTF
However, the Acting spokesman of the Joint Task Force, JTF, code-named Operation Delta Sate, Thomas Otuji downplayed the effect of the attack stating that the affected line was disused and had been breached earlier. “There was an attack on an old pipeline earlier vandalised. No product running in it. Troops on the trail to ascertain the identity of the criminals”, he said.
*Emma Amaize, Festus Ahon & Perez Brisibe – Vanguard
