(Ecofin Agency) - A series of attacks in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, counting the recent attack on Chevron’s offshore facility by the newly established Niger Delta Avengers, are indications that the local economy might soon be crippled.

These persistent attacks in the region have made Shell to withdraw most of its employees from the Eja OML 79 production facility where production has been postponed. 98 important employees were airlifted by helicopters from the Eja OML 79, during the weekend.

According to sources, a small group of staff were left on the platform to perform skeletal operations. The staff and facility have been offered protection by two gunboats owned by the Military Joint Taskforce.

Operated by Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC), the Eja OML 79 production facility produces 90,000 bopd.

Meanwhile, staff had also been evacuated from the adjacent Bongo Field, which has a bigger production capacity and is operated by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, (SNEPCO).

A week ago, the new group, Niger Delta Avengers, blew up Chevron’s Valve Platform in Abiteye, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State. These activities have increased tension in the region as different security agencies gathered together over President Mohammed Buhari's directives to curb the attacks of the new militant group.

However, the militant group appeared not ready to reverse its promise to destroy oil installations in the region as well as other parts of the country, Vanguard reports.

“The Presidency can set up a permanent security force as stated by the Vice President when he visited the SPDC, Forcados Terminal. We are not deterred by such threats and shall continue blowing up pipelines until the Niger Delta people are no longer marginalized by the Nigerian actors,” Madoch Agbinibo, spokesperson of the group, said.

Anita Fatunji