Tension in Niger Delta as militants launch fresh attack

– Niger Delta militants have blown up a major gas pipeline in the country located in Bayelsa state

– The attack on the pipeline was reportedly carried out on Sunday, May 15, at about 9pm

– Some sources in the community say dynamites were used to blow up the pipeline, while others say the gunmen deployed other mechanical devices to rupture the line along the axis

Reports have emanated that militants operating in the Niger Delta have launched a fresh attack in the region, blowing up a gas pipeline operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) at Ogbembiri in southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa state.

The militants reportedly stormed the community at about 9pm on Sunday, May 15, traced the pipeline and blew it up.

The latest attack on the pipeline occurred on Sunday, May 15, at about 9pm when the militants stormed the community, traced the pipeline and ruptured it at the same point where it had been repaired after a previous attack.

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Some sources in the community said dynamites were used to blow up the pipeline, while others said the gunmen deployed other mechanical devices to rupture the line along the axis.

This latest attack has fueled questions within the community over why security agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting oil installations are unable to stop the frequent breaches.

Speaking on the attack, a source said: “Agip awarded the contract for security surveillance and repairs of the pipeline in the event of a breach to a contractor from the community.

“So the contractor enjoys the dual contract of protecting the pipeline and also repairing it whenever there is a leakage. But it is baffling how the pipeline increasingly comes under attack.

“Is a major pipeline because it supplies gas for domestic consumption”, noting that Agip had spent a lot of money fixing it.

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“While the pipeline is said to be relatively safe in other communities, it is continuously breached in the Southern Ijaw community.”

Meanwhile, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, a former governor of Anambra state, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari that any attempt to crush Niger Delta militants may spell doom for Nigeria.

Speaking with Daily Sun, the ex-governor advised the president to engage militants and other aggrieved people from the south-south and south-east in dialogue.

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