Chief of Naval Staff, Mr Ibok-Ete Ibas, has warned Niger Delta Avengers against threat to resume destruction of oil facilities in Niger Delta.

The militant group had recently announced plans to resume hostilities, claiming that the federal government had not fulfilled its promise to redress situations in the region.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday at headquarters of Eastern Naval Command in Calabar, Ibas said no group had the strength to threaten the peace and unity of Nigeria.

The CNS, who had an extensive interaction with officers and ratings across all formations under the Eastern Naval Command, said that the navy was prepared to confront any threat in the region.

“We are prepared for any group that threatens the unity and peace of our country. We are ready to stop all forms of illegal activities on our nation’s economic resources.

“I am here to carry out an appraisal on the activities of all mobile units ashore, training establishment as well as exercise the fleet later.

“No individual or group including Niger Delta Avengers has the audacity to threaten the country and we will also make sure that Nigerians can use the maritime space unhindered.

“We have in the last two years made a considerable impact of reducing the operations of pirates,” he said.

He said that the presence of the Navy had given rise to maritime commerce, and that there had been remarkable improvement on the number of ships coming into the country.

NAN