Again, militants bomb Agip pipeline in Bayelsa

Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

A pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has been bombed by the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers.

The militants, who had earlier vowed to reduce the country’s oil production to zero, attacked the trunkline with dynamites on Friday.

The attacked facility, identified as Obi-Obi Brass Trunkline, is said to be a major pipeline of NAOC.

Security sources said the incident, which happened at about 3 o’clock in the morning, sparked fire with thick smoke billowing from the bombed pipeline into the atmosphere.

The militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, which has rebuffed any dialogue with the Federal Government, claimed responsibility for the attack through its Twitter handle.

The militants also lauded the international community for allegedly halting their crude oil business transactions with Nigeria.

The NDA said, “At about 3am on Friday, the Niger Delta Avengers blew up the Obi Obi Brass trunkline belonging to Agip ENI. It is Agip’s major crude oil line in Bayelsa State.

“It is good as foreign refineries stop buying Nigeria oil because the Nigerian state has been robbing the Niger Delta of her oil and gas. We will inform the international community when we are open for business.”

The state Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Desmond Agu, confirmed the incident.

Agu said the security agency had started meeting with traditional rulers in various coastal communities as part of measures to resolve the crisis in the state.

He said the meeting commenced with traditional rulers from communities in Southern Ijaw, a local government area with one of the largest concentration of oil activities in the state.

He said the strategy was aimed at directly involving the monarchs and youths in the protection of critical national assets within their domains.

Agu said the corps and other security agencies remained resolute and committed to protecting the country’s assets, noting that his men were doing their best to protect the state from attackers.

He advised aggrieved youths to shun violence and embrace peace in order for the Niger Delta to attain its expected growth and development.

The NSCDC boss said, “This is the case of people turning their weapons against themselves. This destruction is having grave impact, not just on the economy of the region, but also on the environment.

“Any polluted environment takes a long time to recover and become suitable for farming, fishing and other uses. Invariably, these youths are destroying their future and the future of their children. It doesn’t worth it because there are better ways to make demands than self-inflicted injuries.”

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