Reports coming in indicate that there has been yet another breach at the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Ogbembiri, Southern Ijaw local government area, Bayelsa State.
The attack is suspected to have been perpetrated by militants who reportedly blew up a major gas pipeline. The incessant attacks that have taken place this year alone has made the situation a worrying one.
According to Thisday, the attack is believed to have occurred some 48 hours ago. Community members are now wondering why security agencies tasked with protecting the pipeline seem powerless to do anything.
According to Thisday the gunmen in perpetrating the act, reportedly stormed the community at about 9:00pm, traced the pipeline and ruptured it at a point it was previously repaired after the last attack.
It was reported that dynamite might have been used in the attack.
The pipeline crosses Tumor community in Bomadi, Delta State; Ogbuasiri in Ekeremor and Ogbembiri in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State and is a major gas supplier to the entire nation.
Thisday reports that a source said “Agip awarded the contract for security surveillance and repairs of the pipeline in case of a breach to a contractor from the community.
“So, the contractor enjoys 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’’,
The source stated that the facility is a major pipeline as it supplies gas for domestic use by citizens, he also stated that Agip had spent a lot of money fixing it and where therefore dismayed by the constant attacks.
According to the source, the pipeline is safe in other communities and only gets attacked in the Southern Ijaw community.
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