YENAGOA, JULY 18, 2016 – Niger Delta Avengers have attacked a crude oil pipeline on the outskirts of Warri, which is operated by a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), a community leader said on Monday.Militants calling for a greater share of Nigeria’s energy wealth to go to the impoverished Delta area have carried out attacks oil and gas facilities in the southern region over the last few months.
Two blasts were heard on the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) line Sunday night, said Batan community chairman Ogugu Dickson. A security source also said there had been blasts in the town of Batan.
“This morning I and some PPMC workers, and security agents, were at the site. All we could see was a huge bubble (of oil) on the surface of the river,” said Dickson. Oil facilities in Batan have been hit in the last few months.
NNPC could not immediately be reached for comment. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Attacks in the Niger Delta briefly pushed the country’s oil production to 30-year lows in spring.
