….Expect more attack, say Militants
The Niger Delta Avengers has claimed responsibility for the attack on gas pipeline belonging to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), in Obotim Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
The attack on the NNPC gas pipeline which was located in Ikot Okukuk Nsit Junction in Nsit Ibom local council occurred around 12pm on Sunday, according to local villagers.
But statement by the spokesperson of the avengers, Mudoch Agbinibo, said the facility was blown up at about 11:30pm on Sunday night.
The statement also asked the NNPC authorities to check their facility whether they will claim if it was ‘system Anomaly’ as Exxon Mobil recently did before later affirming similar attack on their facilities in the state.
The statement by the avengers read: “11:30pm on Sunday, the NDA blow up Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), gas pipeline at Nsit-Ibom L.G.A, Akwa Ibom state. NNPC should check their pipeline if it’s ‘system Anomaly’.”
It asked the NNPC authorities to check their facility whether they will claim if it was ‘system Anomaly’ as Exxon Mobil recently did before later affirming similar attack on their facilities in the state.
At as the time The Nation arrived at the scene, there were officials of Akwa Ibom Fire Service on the ground trying to put out the fire from the gas pipeline which was attacked by the avengers.
Before Sunday’s attack on NNPC gas pipeline in Nsit Ibom, around June this year, the Niger Delta Volunteers, (NDV), announced its presence in Akwa Ibom State.
The group had in a statement signed by its spokesman, Commander Ekpo Ekpo, claimed responsibility for the attack on gas pipeline belonging to NNPC/NGC supplying gas to ALSCON, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.
Even when the State Government and the Police Commissioner, Murtala Mani, had both denied the knowledge of the attack and called it a gas leakage, the militants had insisted that its professionals attacked the pipeline at exactly 11:45am on Thursday June 16 to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari who was due in the country from oversea trips.
The group had warned that the ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta militants should be extended to Akwa Ibom state otherwise it would shut down some major platforms and flowlines in the state.
They also vowed to attack some ‘selfish’ Paramount Rulers in the State who connive with oil companies to ‘siphon’ money meant for community development.
Only last week also, three Militant groups, Niger Delta Volunteers, NDV, Niger Delta Peoples Liberation Movement, NDPLF, and Bakassi Freedom Fighters, BFF, have promised to lunch more attack on oil installations in Akwa Ibom state unless the Minister of State for Petroleum, Group Managing Director – NNPC and Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority vacate their offices.
The group had in statement yesterday criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for not appointing somebody from the Niger Delta region into the newly constituted Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The statement by the militant groups was jointly signed by its spokepersons Commanders Ekpo Ekpo for NDV; Henry Etete for NDPLF and Asukwo Henshaw for BFF, and sent to newsmen in Uyo, the state capital.
The group also demanded the sacking of NNPC’s Group Managing Director Dr. Maikanti Baru and replacement of same with an indigene of the Niger Delta.
They lamented that it was an ‘insult’ on the Niger Delta region that the Minister of Petroleum who also doubles as the President of Nigeria is from the North, the Group Managing Director – Dr. Maikanti Baru and four other members of the board are from the North.
The statement read: “The appointment of Nigerian Ports Authority Managing Director is an insult to the people of Niger Delta, the action of the Buhari has proved that he is the president of the North and not the President of Nigeria.
“We totally condemn the newly constituted NNPC Board by the President and we call for immediate sack of the Group Managing Director and replacement of same with an indigene of the Niger Delta, it is an insult on the Niger Delta region that the Minister of Petroleum who also double as the President of Nigeria is from the North, the Group Managing Director – Dr. Maikanti Baru and four other members of the board are from the North.
“We demand immediate removal and investigation of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu for spending over N150m on some selfish ex-militant leaders to work against the Niger Delta Avengers and other militant groups in the Niger Delta without any result.
“We congratulate the Niger Delta Avengers for successful operation in Akwa Ibom and assure them of more cooperation and support, we wish to prove here that there was attack on Exxon Mobil pipeline, even Exxon Mobil as at today can testify that there was attack, and we promise that more are coming in the next few weeks if the Minister of State for Petroleum, Group Managing Director – NNPC and Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority still remains in office.”
