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Tag: pipeline

  • Northern group wants pipeline vandals prosecuted

    A northern group under the aegis of Voice of Northern Nigeria Youth Initiative has called for the arrest and prosecution of any individual found guilty of vandalizing oil installations in the Niger Delta region.
    The Niger Delta Avengers had continued to destroy oil installations belonging to multinationals, leaving the country to lose billions daily. National President of the group, Yusuf Musa, during a briefing on Wednesday, in Abuja, explained that the country could no longer endure bloodsheds in the region.

    He called for the questioning of any powerful individual supporting the Niger Delta Avengers, including former president, Goodluck Jonathan, if found to be involved with the group. Musa, called on elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark, to intervene in the situation by calling the new agitators to order to protect the region.

    President of the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Israel Akpodoro, recently accused President Jonathan to have created the Niger Delta Avengers prior to his exit in office last year. Musa said: “We the voice of northern Nigeria youth initiative wants to align ourselves to that stand of the leader of the ex-agitators. “He is a very patriotic Nigerian for him to have revealed this
    information. It is for the Federal Government to seriously attend to this issue because Nigerians are tired of bloodsheds. We are tired of crisis.

    “Jonathan, Asari Dokubo, Tompolo, Edwin Clark should be invited for questioning. Already, leader of ex-agitators have said it that Jonathan has hand in this. He should be brought to book because nobody is above the law. We need the militants as Nigerians so we do not want anybody to be killed.” He stated that the country, after winning the war on Boko Haram could not afford to embark on another battle with the emerging Niger Delta group.

    Musa, emphasized that the country needed peace, adding that any individual who “has hand in crisis of this type should be arrested and
    prosecuted.” He further said the lives of Nigerians are at stake considering the current state of the economy. In his remark, an All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, ‎Chief Peter Igho, threw his support for questioning of those involved. He stated that the people of Niger Delta should be cautioned to promote peace in the region. “People like Israel can still manage whatever problem or destruction of pipes in the region if given the opportunity,” Igho added.

  • OB3 pipeline to boost gas supply by 2bscf/d next year

    The East-West pipeline, popularly called Obiafu, Obrikom, Oben (OB3) gas pipeline, will increase  domestic gas supply from 1.5 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscf/d) to 2bscf/d, when it begins operation in 2017, The Nation has learnt.

    The OB3, estimated  to cost over $400 million, is a Federal Government’s project  being handled by Nigerian oil service companies including Oilserv Limited.

    The 48-inch pipeline will cover about 120km and supply gas to thermal power plants.

    The Managing Director of Oilserv Limited, Mr. Emeka Okwuosa, said they hoped to complete the project  in July 2017.

    He said: “We are looking at the project’s completion in 2017. The scheduled completion date is July 2017. The project has faced quite a few challenges like you will expect of any project. Projects as you know, come with plans, based on scope and as you progress with the project, you may have changes in scope depending on what you intend to achieve.

    “We also have challenges that come with community management and security issues. We also have several other challenges but at the end of all, we expect to have reduced and recalibration of the schedule. Currently we are looking at July 2017. The project is really not being affected by the current situation in oil and gas industry because the government has had the intention of doing it to get gas distribution come in top gear.

    “Therefore, it means clearly that the project has been programmed overtime and the funding is also being kept by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Federal Government. So, clearly the funding is on stream and I believe by next year, we should have that pipeline fully functional to be able to increase the capacity of gas supply for domestic uses.”

    Okwuosa noted that at the peak of supply, they are looking at a maximum of two billion standard cubic feet of gas per day (bscf/d), adding that whether the capacity woulb be achieved depended on there being enough gas to feed it.

    On the security measures for the pipeline, he said pipelines are built based on what is called ‘engineering codes,’ and these codes determine the way you scope the project, and the way you scope the specifications of the project, and once that is done by the clients, the service companies’ job is to build to that specifications.

    “There are many ways to secure a pipeline, but the most important way to secure a pipeline is the engagement of stakeholders including the government, the community and all manner of people that have direct impact on the pipeline. There are various forms of technology like the defined optic system, but that’s not being installed in the pipeline because it wasn’t part of the original scope. But tampering with a gas pipeline is a clear sabotage because you don’t tamper with gas pipeline to steal the gas,” he According to him, government has to set up a system to guide the pipeline because it is a national asset. It is a very strategic national asset because anywhere in the world, you guide your pipelines by using technology, engaging the communities around there, or putting up a proper security including military security, but you have to guide your pipelines, he said.

  • Tompolo blames oil firms for pipeline attacks

    Tompolo blames oil firms for pipeline attacks

    A former Niger Delta militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), has urged security agencies to investigate activities of oil companies in Niger Delta for the spate of attacks on pipelines and oil facilities in the region.

    Reacting to insinuations that he was behind the Niger Delta Avengers, a group which claimed responsibility for the attacks on key oil facilities, including the Forcados Crude Export line in Burutu, Delta State, Tompolo said oil servicing companies angling for the repair contracts, and not him, were responsible for the attacks.

    In a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, Tompolo assured that oil multinationals and their service firms had nothing to worry about him because he was reformed.

    He said: “I wish to appeal to the servicing companies to go about their normal operations, particularly the repair of the Forcados 48-inch pipeline, which is key to our economic stability.”

    “I have said I will not resort to violence because of my case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or to wage war against the Federal Government, as my legal team is working towards the resolution of the issue. I pray God should see me through these trying times.

    “It is unfortunate that I am accused of pipeline vandalism, despite my statements to deny involvement in the renewed hostilities in Niger Delta. Since the declaration of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2009, which I wholeheartedly embraced and accepted, I had sworn not to be part of any arms struggle, either overtly or covertly.

    “Most Nigerians are aware of the role I played in safeguarding and protecting crude oil and gas facilities during the last administration; I am still interested in doing so for the love of country, humanity and out of patriotism. It is worthy of mention that as I was protecting oil facilities, I incurred the wrath of pipeline vandals and illegal refinery operators; till now some of them are still angry with me.

    “Therefore, it is worrisome for security agencies to link me with such people who are still angry with me. It would be recalled that when I founded the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) at the peak of the Niger Delta agitation for a better living for the people, I did not mince words. So, if it was me that is behind the Niger Delta Avengers, I would have come out openly to claim the leadership.

    “I am a man of my word. Therefore, I should be taken as such by security agencies. It is unfair to link me with this new militant group, which I do not agree with, in terms of its philosophy, ideology and mode of operation. I am not a part of the Niger Delta Avengers.

    “Let it be known that I am proud of my achievements through non-violence advocacy since the enthronement of the 2009 Presidential Amnesty Programme for the Niger Delta region, particularly in the coastal areas. For instance, the establishment of the first maritime university and a dock/ship building yard and other good things.

    “I make bold to say that I have attracted more development to the Niger Delta region than my traducers. Therefore, it is unreasonable and unimaginable to associate me with any person(s) or group involved in pipeline vandalism and other criminal activities in Niger Delta.”

    Tompolo urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government to look inward in the search for masterminds of recent attacks.

    According to him, his party men in Bayelsa State were getting agitated over lack of political patronage.

    He said: “I am aware of how such persons are chasing the Minister of Petroleum for State, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, around. I advise the Federal Government to investigate some of the servicing companies engaged in repairing damaged pipelines; sabotage on their part is not ruled out. Some of them may not have the capacity to carry out such repairs, but must have worked their way to get the contract in connivance with people in the corridor of powers, and turn around to tender the security situation in the Niger Delta as an excuse, as they are being paid ‘down time’ payment.”

  • Pipeline security force to end vandalism underway

    Pipeline security force to end vandalism underway

    The Federal Government is considering the creation of “a permanent pipeline security force” to protect sensitive pipelines across the country.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said if established, such a force “would be armed with sophisticated weapons to ensure we contain the vandalism, and overhaul security.”

    Osinbajo called for an expedited repair of the Forcados Terminal in Delta State operated by Shell and the activation of an alternative process to ameliorate gas supply deficit in the country.

    He spoke at the weekend when he visited the Forcados Terminal in Delta State. He was accompanied by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    The Vice President said President Muhammadu Buhari is concerned about the damage done to the terminal in February, which resulted in loss of gas supply to power plants and significant loss of potential revenue.

    He said President Buhari asked him to visit and assess the situation which has been responsible for the recent drop in electricity supply in the country.

    A statement on the trip made available yesterday by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, quoted Osinbajo as saying that the president is equally concerned that the gas projects under the disposal of Shell, which will beef up domestic supply of gas in the country, needs to be speedily completed.

    “What is going on here affects the Nigerian people and the economy,” Osinbajo told Shell and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) officials at the meeting. He was referring to the loss of gas supply to power plants and the loss of potential foreign exchange earning arising from the inability to produce over 250,000 barrels of oil per day, due to the damage done to the terminal.

    “The damage done to Forcados affects our oil earnings but also as important is the power aspect. It (Forcados)-is a major source of gas, about 40 per cent of our gas supply is affected leading to the problem of power supply in the country,” the Vice President told Shell officials led by Country Chairman  Osagie Okunbor and NNPC officials led by Bello Rabiu, the Chief Operating Officer (CEO) for Upstream.

    He added: “I came here on the instruction of the President who is concerned about the damage done to Forcados. I came here to see for myself and underscore the great implication for the nation’s economy. Many people don’t even know that power supply is hampered by what is going on here.”

    He charged the officials to do what can be done and expeditiously as possible to repair the damaged terminal.

    According to a repair plan presented to him during the visit by Shell, the repair work which is in three phases is about concluding its first phase with expectation that the repair will be concluded in May.

    The NNPC also presented an interim alternative plan to supply gas to the plants including trucking condensate.

    Osinbajo expressed concern of the federal government that IOCs that seat on 80% of gas deposits in the country have not been as forthcoming regarding gas supply to the domestic market.

    “Even if it is as a matter of public service,” Prof Osinbajo encouraged the IOCs to do a lot more for domestic gas supply considering the gas supply problems in the country, stressing that “we are clearly suffering in terms of domestic supply.”

    For instance, he harped on the need for Shell to speedily complete the Bonga and Forcados/Yokri gas projects in order to assuage the plight of the Nigerian people.

    “The president is particularly concerned about this outstanding gas projects.” he noted

    The Bonga Gas Diversion project would provide 120mmscf/d when completed by the second quarter of this year, while the Forcados/Yokri gas project would provide 80mmscf/d at completion expected at the same timeline.

    There is also the Assa North/Ohaji South project which can also provide 500mmscf/d.

    Experts say currently, gas production into domestic network in the country has fallen to 601mmscf/d from usual 1.1bcf/d.

    The implication is that the country is now losing about half a billion cf/d, which roughly accounts for about 2000MW of electricity.

    Osinbajo also told reporters that “the damage done to Forcados terminal is the chief reason for the poor power supply that has affected the country recently.”

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, lamented that “the Forcados terminal is important to Delta state and the nation. That is where SPDC evacuates its products and other land operations including Seplat evacuating products from there for sale. Now, all the production on land by SPDC is shortened.”

  • DSS arraigns suspect for threatening to blow pipelines

    DSS arraigns suspect for threatening to blow pipelines

    The Department of State Security (DSS), Thursday, dragged Mr. Nengi Samuel Ikiba, to the Magistrate Court 11, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, accusing him of threatening to blow up a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

    Ikiba was said to have threatened the management of Agip through a text message he composed and sent to the company on January 25, 2016.

    The suspect in the text message allegedly asked the company to either award him a surveillance contract or risk an attack on its pipelines.

    A charge sheet signed by the DSS’ Prosecuting Lawyer, Victor Uchendu, said Ikiba committed an offence punishable under Section 389 of the Criminal Code, Law of Bayelsa State, 2006.

    The charge sheet said: “That you Nengi Samuel Ikiba, on or about the 25th day of January, 2016 in the Yenagoa Magisterial District caused the management of Agip Company Limited to receive an SMS via your GSM number 08037028391 “in which you threatened to cause damage to the company’s facilities unless they award you a security surveillance contract and thereby committed an office punishable under Section 389 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C14, Law of Bayelsa State, 2006.”

    The court, however, adjourned the case to March 3, 2016, for hearing.

    Meanwhile, the President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, and the Bayelsa State chapter of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), warned youths in the Niger Delta region against vetting their anger of perceived injustices on oil installations and pipelines.

    Eradiri noted that the region’s agitations for social justice and equity had gone beyond violence, youth’s restiveness and economic sabotage.

    He called on the youth to embrace the new approach of intellectualism in engaging the government with the problems of the region.

    According to him resorting to sabotage through bursting of pipelines to send a message to the authorities was crude, uncivilised and against growth and development of the area.

    Eradiri spoke when the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), Bayelsa State chapter, in collaboration with A.J. Alagoa Library, donated thousands of books to Oronto Douglas Library and ICT Centre established by the IYC.

    He told the youths that education remained the key to development adding that without it, socio-economic and political development would continue to elude the region.

    He said: “We have come to realise that without education, there is nothing you can achieve and that is why we dedicated this library to our comrade, late Oronto Douglas, former Presidential aide.

    “We want every Ijaw youth to begin to think about change in our community via the pen instead of destruction of pipelines and activities that will not bring glory to our people.

    “In fact, for me, for somebody to burst pipelines in orded to send a message, is a crime against humanity.

    “This is how I have always classified sabotage via destruction of pipelines because at the end of the day, the government will continue to take their money, pump their oil and the environment is usually meant to suffer as a result of such activities.

    “In the long run, the diseases and all those other things that are associated with environmental degradation are meted to the same people they claim to want to liberate via agitation. So, it is a crime against humanity for somebody to destroy pipelines as a means of agitation.”

    Also, the Chairman, ANA, Bayelsa State, Michael Afenfia, said the books were donated by the association in collaboration with A.J. Alagoa Library to enhance capacity building of Nigerians, particularly the Ijaw youths.

    Afenfia, who commended the Eradiri-led IYC for its laudable capacity building programmes, said: “I am very glad that the struggle for social justice and equity is taking another dimension.

    “We are going away from militancy and agitation through violence and combatant struggle and pushing it to the arena of academic and intellectualism and we really commend this effort.

    “We hope that the whole world can see this and elevate IYC to a status of an organisation that wants to give the Niger Delta struggle a new face.

    “That is the kind of thing the Ijaw nation needs at this time. We, therefore, urge the youth to use the facilities in a bid to compete favourable with their contemporaries in any part of the world.”

  • Explosion hits Agip pipeline in Bayelsa

    Explosion has again rocked a major pipeline in the Niger Delta region, a few days after an attack on oil and gas pipelines in the Gbaramatu kingdom Delta state, dealt a deadly blow on the economy.

    This time the attack occurred on a pipeline owned by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

    ‎Persons suspected to be unrepentant militants were said to have attacked the pipeline located along Orukari, Golubokiri and Kpongbokiri communities in Brass

    Panic was said to have gripped the communities following the disposition of the government against acts capable of worsening the bleeding economy.

    It was learnt that the attackers committed the heinous economic crime on Thursday night.

    The incident caused massive spillage of crude oil not the waterways and fishing camps.

    A member representing Brass Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Isreal Sunny-Igoli confirmed the explosion in a statement he signed in Yenagoa.

    Igoli said that ‎preliminary investigations into the incident showed that it was an act of sabotage carried out to hurt the economic interests of Bayelsa and Nigeria.

    He said the latest explosion coming after bombing of pipelines recently in the same axis was worrisome and capable of forcing oil companies out of operation and adversely affecting the Nigeria’s economy.

    Sunny- Goli called on security agencies to beef up security around oil facilities to prevent future attacks adding that economic saboteurs were bent on crippling Nigeria’s economy.

    He said: “I want to condemn the latest attack on Agip pipeline at Kpongbokiri. This is a clear sabotage by economic saboteurs. Recently they blasted pipeline at Orukari and Golubokiri.

    “I condemned this latest attack on Agip pipeline at Kpongbokiri in its entirety. It is sabotage against Nigeria in a bid to cripple the economy at a time the Nation is struggling with decline in revenue due to the fall in oil prices.

    “It is common knowledge that because of the low price of oil which is our main source of revenue, many states can hardly pay workers salaries. This sabotage is capable of crippling the economy if not urgently curbed.

    “If these attacks are not checked and the perpetrators brought to book and Agip decides to pull out of Bayelsa state it would be disastrous for us as a people.

    “Bayelsa state is an oil producing state and our revenue from the federal government is based on our quota of production but this would be reduced if Agip decides to pull out because incessant attacks on its facilities are not stopped.

    “I want to urge security agencies to probe the attack on Agip pipeline and ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to book. Bayelsans especially those that have oil facilities around them should also be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security agencies to prevent further attacks.”

  • Community leaders to tackle pipeline vandalism

    Community leaders to tackle pipeline vandalism

    The Federal Government needs to use local investors and community leaders to tackle resurgence of pipeline vandalism in the Niger- Delta region, an oil and gas expert, Mr Wilson Opuwei, has said.

    Speaking at the weekend in Lagos, Opuwei said it is imperative to engage the services of indigenous investors and community leaders in the fight against pipeline vandalism in the country, in view of the fact that the menace thrives within the oil producing region.

    He said the recent bombing of oil installations in some parts of Delta State would have been averted, if necessary measures have been put in place by the Federal Government.

    He said: ‘’ The government needs to strategically employ people, deploy intelligence officials, and consult with community leaders in the fight against vandalism because the criminals, who commit the offence live among the people.Thereafter, the government should downplay military engagement for now and instead work with state governments, intellectuals,   and industry operators.

    He added that: ‘’ Government should remember that the Niger-Delta has well meaning people who have worked tirelessly for the development of the region. These people have a right to social security and need to be accorded the right. The only way the government can secure their lives is to tackle pipeline vandalism and other untoward practices in the region.’’

    He advised President Muham madu Buhari against repeating the mistakes made by his predecessors, who  used militants to fight oil theft and pipeline vandalism, without carrying along other critical stakeholders in the region.

    According to him, industry regulators such as Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and others should put in place an  effective corporate governance structure, while at the same time, provide real-time surveillance of oil installations and facilities in the region.

    Opuwei urged the Federal Government to use modern technology to monitor and protect oil and gas pipelines, stressing that the idea is good, as well as help in replacing physical monitoring of the oil facilities.

     

     

  • Tension in Ondo community over pipeline attacks

    •My life under threat, says ex-militant leader

    There was tension yesterday in  Ese Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, following the deployment of soldiers in the area.

    The soldiers were believed to have been deployed following the sabotage of pipelines by suspected former militants in Delta State.

    Also, the Arogbo Ijaw National Front raised the alarm of a looming inter-ethnic hostilities and robbery in the area. It noted that operatives of a local anti-vices outfit, Gallery Security Services,  pulled out of their duty posts because of the presence of the soldiers.

    The founder and Chief Executive Officer of the anti vices outfit, a frontline commander of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)?, Chief Bibopre Ajube, has raised the alarm that his life is also being threatened.

    Officials of the Eso Odo local government have also expressed fears over the presence of the soldiers in some parts of the council which they claim has created anxiety.

    A statement by the Arogbo Ijaw National Front President, Chief James Akubirisei, said the soldiers’ presence has forced away the local waterways vigilante team.

    The statement reads: ‘’The reported continued search for the founder of Gallery Security Services is already heating up the security in the area because the man has contributed to the peace of the riverine than any other individual. He has made efforts aimed at ensuring peace in the riverine area and the way and manner he is being hunted is a matter of concern to all and sundry.

    ‘’We are appealing to the military authorities to recall these soldiers because their presence, which has forced out Gallery outfit vigilantes from their posts, is already creating fears of possible inter-ethnic hostilities and even armed robbery in the riverine areas of Ondo state.

    ‘’As a man who has committed his resources and time to curb criminality even beyond Ondo State, the search for him is curious and suspicious. We are compelled to say that this development is orchestrated by selfish politicians who are bent on getting Chief Ajube out of the way in view of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.”

    In a statement, Ajube said: “I think I am just a victim of my magnanimous efforts towards peace in the riverine areas of the state and even beyond. Here I am, cooperating with the federal government to stop pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering in the coastal areas and beyond.

    “While I am being hunted by the vandals and their sponsors for standing up against criminality, the government has opted to launch a manhunt for me for highly unclear reasons.

    “I have lost not only resources but painfully too, youths who chose to partner with me in this noble cause have lost their lives with several widows and fatherless children left for me to cater for.

    “All I can say is that this move is aimed at diverting my attention from the path I have chosen to? walk since accepting the federal government amnesty offer. But I will not. If the federal government deems it fit to brand me in a manner to implicate me for unknown reasons through this unclear mission, so be it.”

  • Attack on pipeline cripples 600Mw power plant

    • N470m ‘lost daily’

    The weekend attack on Nigeria Gas Company (NGC’s) pipeline connected to Chevron Nigeria Limited’s facility at Escravos, will impact negatively on the 600megawatts (Mw) capacity Olorunsogo National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) plant  and others.

    In a statement endorsed by the Special Adviser on Communications to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing,  Mr. Hakeem Bello,  explained that the sabotaged gas pipeline which contributes to the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) has led to a loss of 160million standard cubic feet of gas daily (mmsfcd) of gas.

    The statement noted that at a cost of $2.50 per thousand standard cubic feet (scf), this translates to a loss of about $400,000 to the country on a daily basis (N78,800,000 daily) in gas volume.

    It expalied that this is in addition to losses to be incurred daily from affected power generation ($1,988,223 or N391,680,000 daily). The total daily loss to the country is therefore estimated at N470,479,931. Repairs of the damaged pipeline is estimated as costing ($609,137 or N120,000.000).

    The real sector of the economy has been counting its losses as some cement companies around Olorunsogo such as Ewekoro and Ibese are affected.

    The latest incident occurred just as the Federal Government through the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources along with other agencies, has been making efforts to improve gas supplies to power plants. The efforts led to previously offline plants such as Ihovbor and Sapele coming back on stream and subsequent output  making up for the loss in power.

  • JTF: we’ll fish out pipeline attackers

    JTF: we’ll fish out pipeline attackers

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) has vowed to identify those responsible for the multiple armed attacks on strategic oil and gas pipelines in Delta State.

    The Commander of the JTF, Major-General Alani Gafar Okunola, who led other military officers and men to some of the sites of the destruction yesterday, said the government would hold leaders of the communities where acts of sabotage take place responsible.

    Speaking at the site of the  destroyed Egwa 1 in Warri South-West, council area of Delta State, Gen. Okunlola described the recent resurgence of militant activities as unacceptable, vowing that those behind it would be brought to book.

    At the site visited, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were used to bomb pipelines owned by the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Gen. Okunlola said:  “The pipeline was blown up three days ago. We are going to fish out those responsible. It is a national sabotage and critical asset. There is no way we can fold our hands and allow the perpetrators to get away with it.”

    Gen. Okunola was accompanied on the visit by Brigadier General F Yahaya, Commodere Raimi Mohammed (Commander, NNS Delta), Lt. Col. Igwe Patrick Omoke (Commander, 3 Battalion, Effurun.)

    Also, theNavy said it had contained the activities of armed militants who attacked strategic oil and gas facilities in parts of riverine Delta State.

    Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Raimi Mohammed,  said measures to ensure safety in the waterways and security of lives and properties had been outlined for those traversing the waterways had been put in place.

    According to the naval commander, security forces had mounted a response operation, which had stalled further destruction of oil and gas pipelines within the creeks.

    He said no destruction had happened since Saturday night.

    He warned those behind the destructive activities in Warri South-West council area of Delta state and other locations, saying those caught would be made to face the law.

    “We have been on it, trying to make sure that we contain it; at least last night (Saturday night/early Sunday) we had peace and we want to maintain that momentum. No place was blown up last night. We have actually blocked all the places they come out from, which they move through, they can’t come out at night and we hope to keep it that way.

    “Those behind these attacks should know that it’s not in the interest of the communities where they are from or in the interest of the nation, they have to be very careful. Anybody caught will face to full weight of the law”, he said.

    On whether the security forces had managed to contain the attackers effectively, he said “no one can give you such blanket assurance, we are just doing our best and making sure that it doesn’t happen again”.

    Commodore Mohammed said: “Boats using engines from 200 horse power or more are henceforth restricted from plying the waterways. Also, all movements in the waterways, after sunset, are also banned. We shall start enforcing these orders.”