Niger Delta Avengers says to resume hostility in oil rich region

Niger Delta Avengers, a militant group which has terrorised Nigeria's oil-rich region said it will resume attack on oil installations in the OPEC member country, the group said in a post on its website on Friday.

The militant group said they are ending their ceasefire deal with the government, this could threat oil production output of the West African country.

"Niger Delta Avenger's ceasefire on Operation Red Economy is officially over," the militant group said.

“We can assure you that every oil installation in our region will feel the warmth of the wrath of the Niger Delta Avengers,” the group said.

The Niger Delta Avengers, who were responsible for most of last year’s attacks, announced an end to hostilities in August 2016. 

There have been no substantial attacks by any groups in the region since January.
Attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta in 2016 cut Nigeria’s oil production from a peak of 2.2 million barrels per day to near 1 million barrels per day, the lowest level seen in Africa’s top oil producer in at least 30 years.
Nigeria relies on crude oil export for two-thirds of government revenue and most of its foreign exchange. 

Attacks in the Delta helped to push Africa’s largest economy into recession in 2016. It emerged in the second quarter of this year, mostly due to increased oil production.

Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has engaged in diplomatic shuttles within the region early in the year to achieve peaceful resolutions of their demand in the region.