TheCable

Niger Delta militants who have been operating in Delta state have blown up pipelines in neighbouring Bayelsa.

According to THISDAY, a gas pipeline operated by Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) at Ogbembiri in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa was attacked on Sunday.

Gunmen reportedly stormed the community around 9pm, traced the facility, which is said to be a major gas pipeline in the country, and ruptured it at the same point where it had been repaired after a previous attack.

The newspaper quoted sources as saying dynamites were used to blow up the pipeline, while some said the gunmen deployed other mechanical devices to rupture the line along the axis.

“The fresh attack by gunmen occurred on the pipeline about 48 hours ago, raising questions within the community over why security agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting oil installations are unable to stop the frequent breaches,” THISDAY said in its report.

Suspected ex-militants also recently attacked a crude oil pipeline in Brass local government area of Bayelsa.

A group known as Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) claimed responsibilities for all the attacks in Delta, and gave oil companies in the region an ultimatum of two weeks to halt operations.

The government has lamented the effect of pipeline vandalism, giving the military the order to deal with militants.

On Monday, Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum, said Nigeria has been losing 800,000 barrel of oil per day owing to the resurgence of militancy.