Suspected oil rebels attacked a gas pipeline in Nigeria’s restive south, breaking a fragile truce between them and the government, an oil company spokesman told AFP Tuesday but the Gbaramatu Traditional Council stated that the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC pipeline may have ruptured due to equipment failures
The attack on a pipeline operated by the Nigerian Gas Company Limited, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), took place Saturday near Sanomi creek, close to the oil hub of Warri in Delta state.
“It has been confirmed, even by the community people, that it was a third-party sabotage,” said Nigeria Gas Company spokesman Violin Antaih.
“If you have a picture of the blast, you will know too well that was exactly what happened because the pipeline was cut into two. A ruptured pipeline will not have such effect.”
The attack is the first on Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure in months and takes place amid ongoing negotiations between Niger Delta leaders and President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
In a cryptic tweet Tuesday morning, the spokesman of main rebel group the Niger Delta Avengers wrote “la vittoria è nostra” (Italian for “victory is ours”).
The Nigerian military said it was investigating.
“I am aware of the incident and we are on top of it. A committee has been set up to unravel the circumstance,” Joint Task Force Commander Apochi Suleiman said.
“We will see at the end of the day.”
Ecobank energy analyst Dolapo Oni said the apparent attack was “worrying” at a time when Nigeria was wrestling to exit a recession.
“This is probably a statement of intent, saying, ‘look, we can come back’,” he said. “It looks like a warning signal.”
Nigeria has been in recession since August last year, as a result of lower global oil prices as well as the decrease in production from attacks on pipelines in the Niger Delta in 2016.
Buhari — who is away on medical leave in London — initially responded to the resurgence of rebel activity in the region with force.
But Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who is standing in for the ailing head of state, has shifted to a more conciliatory approach.
Government funding for an amnesty program for former rebels has been increased and a slew of infrastructure projects in the impoverished region has been promised.
But a lasting ceasefire may be difficult to achieve in the maze of creeks and swamplands, where masses of young, unemployed men are forced to turn to crime to make a living.
However, in a related development, the Gbaramatu Traditional Council on Sunday May 21 at about 9:04pm stated that the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC pipeline may have ruptured due to equipment failures just as he blamed on enemies of the Gbaramatu people, Daily Post can report.
The Acting Secretary of Gbaramatu Traditional Council, Chief Godspower Gbenekama made the assertion in an exclusive chat with Daily Post Warri, Delta State Correspondent.
Gbenekama who was reacting to alleged claims by the NGC that the gas pipeline may have due to third party interference stated that, ” The Gbaramatu people have no reasons whatsoever to ” bridge” and ” destroy” any pipeline or government facilities its domain.”
” The pipeline may have ruptured due to equipment failure or by our enemies. We smell rat here.”
Gbenekama noted that the NGC did not carry the Traditional Council along when it embarked on Inspection Exercise of the ruptured gas pipeline which situated few meters away from Camp 5 near near biggest military base in the Niger Delta particularly in Benikrukru Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Gbenekama also stated that the NGC should include the Gbaramatu Traditional Council in its forensic analysis stressing that they sense foul play.
Gbenekama explained that the gas pipeline ruptured at the same time when the military was testing weapons along the waterways thereby causing serious tension within the area.
He pointed out that,” Nobody, not even the militants have claimed responsibility for the ruptured pipeline. The Gbaramatu people have no reason to bridge or destroy government facilities” he emphasized.
Gbenekama expressed fears that some unknown persons may have ruptured the gas pipeline especially now that the Nigeria Maritime University has been approved just to scuttle the who processes
Citing security challenges with a view to give the Gbaramatu people bad names.
While calling on the Federal Government to ensure that a repeat of ruptured gas pipeline does not occur near the military formations again, Gbenekama condemned the destruction of government facilities in Gbaramatu Kingdom.
Gbenekama who absolved the Gbaramatu people of any wrong acts, vowed that they will deploy their intellect to avoid a reoccurrence of ruptured gas pipelines in the area.
The Gbaramatu Scribe concluded by saying that the kingdom is at peace with the Government and it’s working hard to sustain the peace in the region especially in Gbaramatu for the take off of the Nigeria Maritime University.
