Suspected Militants blow up NPDC pipeline in Delta

Suspected militants on Saturday night blasted the 24-inch oil pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in Odimodi community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC)’s 24-inch Brass Creek to Forcados Terminal Pipeline, popularly called the Trans Ramos trunk line, brings crude oil from oil well locations in Bayelsa State to the Forcados terminal.

Security sources said on Sunday that the incident occurred at 11 p.m. with a huge fire enveloping the site of the attack.

“Suspected militants attacked the NPDC 24-inch trans Ramos operated by NPDC in Odimodi at about 11 p.m. with dynamites. As I am speaking, concerted efforts were being made to put out the fire in the area.” a security source said.

Another community source confirmed the incident, stating that they heard a huge explosion late Saturday night only to discover it was a pipeline belonging to NPDC that had been blasted.

“We heard a huge explosion when we were about sleeping. We rushed out and found that the NPDC pipeline was on fire. We are not sure whether it was militants that caused it or not.”

It was gathered that the militants made an attempt last week on the said pipeline but was foiled by both local vigilante and soldiers.

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), the militant group that has claimed responsibility for the destruction of oil facilities in the Niger Delta, was yet to claim responsibility at the time of filing this report.

Media Relations Manager of NPDC, Mr. Ugo Atugboko could not be reached for confirmation at the time of filing this report as his phone was switched off.