Chad Basin work to go on despite attack

The University of Maiduguri has pledged to continue exploration work in the Chad Basin despite the recent attack by suspected Boko Haram militants, according to an Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) statement Monday.

University vice chancellor Ibrahim Njodi told a delegation from the NOC and the minister of state for petroleum that the university would not “chicken out” when the NNPC resumes exploration work in the region, noting that the two institutions had been working together since surveys of the area began more than 12 years ago.

“We have been great partners with the University of Maiduguri for many years and certainly when losses like this happen and under this circumstance, we cannot abandon our partners to their fate,” Saidu Mohammed, NNPC’s chief operating officer in charge of gas and power, was quoted as saying in the statement. 

At least 30 people have been killed since the kidnapping and attempted rescue of a team of oil survey workers in northern Nigeria last week, including five university staff members, 16 members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and nine servicemen. A video showing three members of the university team being held by the militants was released Saturday. Acting Nigerian President Yemi Osinbajo ordered search and rescue missions to be continued Sunday.