Nigerian militants on Sunday blew up a crude
pipeline operated by Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell in
the restive oil-producing south, residents said.
pipeline operated by Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell in
the restive oil-producing south, residents said.
"The incident occurred at about 1:00 am near
Odimodi community in Delta State with the velocity
of the blast shaking apartments in the community
amidst a huge ball of fire," said local resident
Endoro Newworld.
"The trunk line known as Trans Ramos belongs to
the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC),
he said.
"At sunrise, a group from the community in
company of the SPDC surveillance team was able to
locate the site of the blast," he said.
Another resident who did not want to be identified
told AFP the pipeline had been previously targeted
by militants.
"Precisely on the 22nd of this month, there was a
failed attempt to attack the same facility, hence we
were expecting that security in the area would have
been tightened, but we are really disappointed that
they succeeded this time," he said.
There were no details available about the damage
or any possible casualties.
Shell officials could not immediately confirm the
incident and no group has claimed responsibility.
The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) militant group has
claimed a string of attacks against the state-run
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation as well as
oil majors Shell, Chevron, Exxon and Eni since
February.
The attacks have slashed output at a time when
Nigeria is grappling with low global crude prices
which have hammered government revenues,
weakening the naira currency and pushing up
inflation to near 11-year highs.
The Avengers want oil majors to leave the Niger
Delta, blaming them for contributing to widespread
poverty and under-development of the region.
The group also wants self-determination for the oil-
producing states and political autonomy.
The rebels have spurned dialogue to end the
violence, prompting the government to warn of an
imminent military showdown with the insurgents.
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