FG Suspends Crude Oil Exploration In Chad Basin

Following attacks on security personnel and some officials of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Borno state by Boko Haram, the Federal Government on Thursday announced that it was suspending crude oil exploration in the state.

Announcing the suspension to newsmen in Abuja, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, said it would only resume if it gets sufficient security clearance guaranteeing the safety of its personnel and operations.

The petroleum minister said that it could not presently confirm the rescue of its personnel by the military and is still awaiting confirmation from the security agencies. He disclosed that the military is still collating data concerning the attack and cannot confirm the actual number of people who died.

The minister commiserated with the family of the deceased and declared that the administration was committed to providing support to the affected families.