Weeks after killing and maiming innocent residents
while raiding communities in Ogun state, suspected
Niger Delta militants have blown up a gas pipeline
in PZ Estate in the Ogijo area of the state.
Members of the community told Channels
Television that the incident, which is the first known
attack on a pipeline in the south-west under
President Muhammadu Buhari, occurred late
Tuesday.
Apart from Imo state in the south-east, where a
Shell pipeline was blown last month, all other
attacks in recent times have happened in the south-
south, mainly Delta state.
The suspects in Ogun were said to have attacked
the facility while pretending to be officials of the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on
maintenance patrol.
The affected pipeline is said to serve an 11.4
distribution line for some companies in Ikorodu,
Lagos state.
The scene of the attack has been cordoned off by
security personnel.
Though officials of the National Emergency
Management Agency (NEMA) believe it is too early
to conclude on the identity of those behind the
attack, sabotage of such nature has been
orchestrated by the creek manors.
Mohammed Tijani, divisional police officer (DPO) of
Ogijo police station, said investigations were
ongoing.
“What we heard is that during the day, some people
disguised as NNPC staff. They reportedly came with
two Hilux vehicles and pretended as if they carried
out some repairs,” he said.
“Later at night, the explosion occurred.”
The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), the group which
has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks
under the current administration, has threatened to
storm Lagos.
The group said its aim is to cripple the nation’s
economy.
After threatening to clampdown on the militants,
President Muhammadu Buhari appealed to them to
give peace a chance.
Nigeria’s production capacity, which sunk to an all-
time low as a result of the attacks, soared during a
two-week ceasefire declared by the militants.
However, the group resumed hostilities some weeks
back, accusing the government of insincerity.
