The Nigerian military has warned that it would deal decisively with any individual or group that engages in activities that threaten the economy of the nation.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its acting director of information, Rabe Abubakar, a Brigadier General, the Defence Headquarters said that it had become aware of the emergence of a group in the Niger Delta region “who have vowed to cripple economic activities through pipeline vandalism, oil theft and kidnap of expatriate workers in that region,” adding that it will “employ all available means and measures within its rule of engagement to crush any individual or group that engages in the destruction of strategic assets and facilities of the government in the Niger Delta or any other location.”

While assuring oil companies operating in the region and the people of their safety and protection, the Defence Headquarters said that security agencies would continue to comb the creeks to fish out those who have been blowing up oil pipelines in the area.

The military urged community leaders, traditional rulers and Nigerians generally to help in the apprehension of the perpetrators of the attacks in the interest of the country, of the culprits for the interest of our great nation, noting that the national interest should override the interest of individuals or groups of persons.

A group that identifies itself as the Niger Delta Avengers claimed responsibility for the recent attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta, including the ones on the SPDC platform at Forcados, the Chevron Okan platform at Abiteye in Escravos, and the crude oil pipelines.

Immediately after the attacks, the federal government instructed the military to do all in its power to halt the attacks.