The Nigerian Navy have confirmed the attack on a Chevron facility near Escravos on Wednesday night.

“There was an attack on a Chevron facility near Escravos on Wednesday night. The incident happened about four nautical miles from Escravos, near Warri, in Delta state,” spokesman Chris Ezekobe told AFP.

Ezekobe said “militants using explosives blew up the Okan platform, a collection facility for offshore oil and gas that feeds the Escravos terminal”.

The navy was working with other security agents to track down the culprits, he added.

“A previously unknown group called the Niger Delta Avengers has claimed responsibility for the incident,” the spokesman said, confirming a statement on the group’s website.

“But we are not ruling out the involvement of former Niger delta militant leaders, particularly Tompolo, who is wanted on fraud charges.”