Warri — Security Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger-Delta said yesterday that its troops successfully foiled an attack launched by militants on the United States of America (USA) oil multi-national, Chevron, at Escravos, Warri South-west Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident was coming barely 24 hours after Chevron declared a Force Majeure, having been forced to cause about 90,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil production to be shut-in as aftermath of vandalised pipeline at Abikeye riverside, last Friday.

The attack on the pipeline was blamed on militants believed to be responding to JTF arrest of a vessel, MT Akuada, laden with 12, 000 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil, with 22 Filipinos on board.

Yesterday's attack, which was confirmed by JTF Spokesman, Lt-Col Rabe Abubakar, occurred near the crude export terminal of Chevron, where the multi-billion dollar Escravos Gas-to-Liquid project is under construction.

Although no casualty figure was given, Abubakar said "two of the about a dozen speedboats used by the militants were sunk by "JTF troops, as we forced the attackers to beat a hasty retreat."

A cargo vessel, MV Thou Galaxy, conveying materials to Chevron Escravos export terminal was also hijacked by militants operating from the Ijaw Kingdom of Gbaramatu, last Sunday.

However, the vessel was released with its entire crew on Monday, following intervention of Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Director of the ship agent, Chief Charles Obule.

Meanwhile, JTF has denied receiving millions of naira from militants in the region, to allow them lift stolen crude with their vessels and described the allegation as "cheap blackmail to tarnish the image of the JTF, which has hit them where it hurts by seizing their illegal bunkering vessel."