News

Militants Threaten To Resume Attacks On Oil Facilities

Published

3 years ago

October 11, 2023

Editor

A dreaded militant group, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA, has threatened to resume attacks on oil pipelines, accusing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Limited, of sidetracking indigenous Niger Delta contractors.

Specifically, the coalition of militants said it would sabotage the multi-billion dollar contract for the maintenance/rehabilitation of the Escravos Terminal to Warri Refinery crude oil pipeline, in Delta State, awarded to a northern company.

Leader of the militant group, a coalition of agitators, self-styled “General” Johnmark Ezonbi, aka Obama, issued the threat in a statement.

It reads in part: “Despite the fact that the multi-billion dollar pipeline maintenance and rehabilitation contracts are to build, operate, and supply refined petroleum products to the nation’s depots, and transfer crude oil from the creek to the nation’s refineries located in the Niger Delta region, the NNPCL deliberately denied and sidelined the people of the Niger Delta region for selfish interest.

“The LOT 2 contract comprises Escravos- Warri crude oil pipeline (60km); Warri- Benin Products Pipeline (90km); and Benin- Ore pipeline products (110km) , which is Escravos Terminal products crude pipeline – Warri Refinery – Benin Products pipeline – Ore depot.

”They awarded LOT 4, covering Mosimi- Ore products pipeline (151.3km); Ibadan depot, Ilorin depot, Ibadan-Ilorin products pipeline (168.9km); Atlas Cove-Mosimi/satellite products pipeline (72.8km); and Mosimi depot, Mosimi- Ibadan products pipeline (79.1km) which is the juiciest LOT among all to another northern company.

“They also awarded LOT 1 comparing the Bonny- Port Harcourt crude oil pipeline (54.8km); Port Harcourt – Aba- Enugu products pipeline (210km); Port Harcourt depot, Aba depot and Enugu depot; and Port Harcourt Refinery -Bonny Export Terminal products pipeline (35km); and Bonny Export Terminal -Loading Jetty products pipeline (32km) – Bonny Export Terminal facilities to an Igbo man from the South East

“The same man is currently handling the multi-billion dollar (614km long AKK Gas pipeline being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company from Escravos Gas line in the creek to Ajoakuta in Kogi State, Kaduna and Kano state, in which NNPCL is operating a Joint Venture, JV, partnership with the northern oil companies.

“The RNDA with the coalition of the nine militant groups decided and declared to resume attacks and destruction of pipelines and other oil and gas installations along Trans-Escravos-Warri Refinery with other NNPCL major delivery lines in the creek of Niger Delta, if the GMD, NNPC Mele Kyari, refuses to back down.

“We are deeply pained and have no other option than to resort to hostilities that Nigeria has never experienced in the creeks of the Niger Delta region should the NNPCL go ahead with the wicked plan of undermining and totally neglecting Niger Delta indigenous oil companies.

“We are going all out to stop the nepotic award of secret contracts on the Trans Escravos- Warri Refinery to Benin Depot Pipeline maintenance, and others by a cartel of northerners at the NNPCL towers.

“We will not allow the contracts by the cartel to see the light of the day. We have started mobilizing our forces to strike at strategic pipeline locations and pipelines in the creek.

“The RNDA also strongly warn NNPCL and the northern contractors not to take our long silence, and patience for granted. They should stay where they are , if not, they will regret going to the various sites of these project”.

“We see it as an affront on the entire Niger Delta people and contractors, who are also in the oil and gas industry, and are more experienced with requisite expertise in marine and oil equipment in the downstream sector.

” We will not sit and watch them have their way this time around on this pipeline contract.”
VANGUARD

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.