Fear as militants bomb AGIP oil pipeline in Bayelsa state

Palpable fear gripped the residents of coastal communities of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following explosion that rocked oil pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

‎The explosion, which was said to have been triggered by dynamite attacks allegedly launched by suspected militants affected pipelines located in Orukari, Golubokiri and Kpongbokiri communities of Brass.

The development, it was learnt had led to many residents of the riverside communities scampering for safety.

It was learnt that the attacks were launched on Thursday night and had led to massive spillage of crude from the Agip pipeline into the sea and fishing camps.

‎Confirming the incident,  member representing Brass Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Israel Sunny-Goli, condemned the attack on Agip pipelines.

Sunny-Goli, in a statement on Saturday, ‎said, “Preliminary investigations indicate that the bombing of the pipeline was an act of sabotage carried out to hurt the economic interests of Bayelsa state and Nigeria.

“The latest explosion coming after bombing of pipelines recently in the same area is worrisome as it is capable of forcing oil companies out of operation which would have adverse effect on Nigeria’s economy.”

Sunny-Goli called on security agencies to beef up security around oil facilities to ensure they prevent future attack by economic saboteurs bent on crippling Nigeria’s economy.

The lawmaker added, “I want to condemn the latest attack on Agip pipeline at Kpongbokiri. This is a clear sabotage by economic saboteurs. Recently, they blasted pipeline at Orukari and Golubokiri.

” I condemn this latest attack on Agip pipeline at Kpongbokiri in its entirety. It is sabotage against Nigeria in a bid to cripple the economy at a time the nation is struggling with decline in revenue due to the fall in oil prices.

“It is common knowledge that because of the low price of oil which is our main source of revenue, many states can hardly pay workers’ salaries. This sabotage is capable of crippling the economy if not urgently curbed. If these attacks are not checked and the perpetrators brought to book and Agip decides to pull out of Bayelsa, it would be disastrous for us as a people.”

He urged Bayelsans, especially those that have oil facilities around them to be be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security agencies to prevent further attacks.

Fear as militants bomb AGIP oil pipeline in Bayelsa state

Niger Delta militants give condition to halt bombing of oil pipelines

Abuja — Top militant leaders, who have been causing havoc in the Niger Delta and major oil depots in the South-West, have laid out conditions under which they would stop the renewed bombing of oil installations and embrace peace.

Urhobo Militants

The militants told one of our correspondents in Abuja that they would only drop their arms when the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, meets and negotiates with them.

The militants issued the position after a secret meeting involving their leaders from the Niger Delta and their counterparts in Alepo, Agric, Epe, Ikorodu, Itoki and Igbokoda areas of Lagos.

One of the top leaders, who gave his name as General Levi, told Vanguard that they would not want to back down until the Petroleum Minister meets them and secures amnesty for their members to avoid being persecuted by security agencies.

The militant leaders also said after meeting with the minister, they would thereafter take over the responsibility of tracking and exposing those bent on causing further destruction to all facilities and meting our appropriate punishment to them.

They said they had been pleading for amnesty since the days of the President Jonathan’s administration but nobody took them into consideration and were ready to work with the new administration to bring about an end to oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation in the Niger Delta region and the South-West.

Levi said: “We are ready to drop our arms and denounce hostility with the government on the condition that the Minister of Petroleum will meet with us and hear our own side of the story. We are not against the government but we have genuine issues yet to be addressed by successive administrations in this country.

“We are ready to commence discussion and denounce association with this present situation. From now henceforth, we are ready to block any channel for anyone not to go through to bomb oil pipelines.”

The bombing of oil installations in the Niger Delta commenced last week as militants blew up major oil and gas pipelines in the area.

Niger Delta militants give condition to halt bombing of oil pipelines