While the country was still discussing the outcome of the meeting between President Buhari some top Niger Delta leaders, to resolve the crisis in the region, a major oil pipeline has been sabotaged.
The attack breached a major crude export line that was commissioned on Monday. An official said the explosion occurred at the line that transfers stored crude oil to vessels for onward export.
No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion at the oil field in Delta, but the Joint Military Task Force, JTF, deployed to the Niger Delta confirmed the Wednesday explosion.
Olaolu Daudu, JTF spokesman code-named “Operation Delta Safe’’ said investigations is ongoing.
He said troops deployed to the area heard an explosion at the Bantan Flow Station run by NPDC, a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
“Troops of Operation Delta Safe located at Sector 1, in Delta while on routine patrol heard an explosive sound caused by suspected economic saboteurs at Bantan Flow Station around Ekweregbene, Bantan general area.
“The incident is however, being investigated and details will be made available as events unfold.
“Also, troops of Forward Operation Base, deployed at Bonny in Rivers, while on anti – crude oil theft/ illegal bunkering patrol, discovered two illegal refinery sites along Ogbunku Creek,” he said.
He added that they recovered three 40 horse power outboard engines and three pumping machines.
This may further affect Nigeria’s dwindling foreign earnings which have been blamed for the current recession. Sabotage of oil and gas facilities led to an almost 50 percent reduction of Nigeria’s crude exports and also worsened the electricity situation as gas powered plants could not receive gas
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