Niger-Delta Militants Destroy Oil Pipeline In Warri

Militants in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region have bombed a state-run oil pipeline near the southern port city of Warri.

Tuesday’s attack is the second within a week, a community leader and army officer said.

“The line which was undergoing repair after the previous attack … was billed for commissioning either today or tomorrow,” before the latest attack, chairman of Batan community Dickson Ogugu told AFP.

Militants open fire

He said four surveillance guards deployed to protect the Trans Forcados export line narrowly escaped death after the militants opened fire on them.

The hoodlums after chasing them from the spot came down from their speedboat, planted dynamite on swamp boogie, barge, crane and on the line,” he said.

“Unfortunately, only the dynamite on the barge exploded and immediately sank into the water. As I speak to you, the military is at the scene of the incident trying to dismantle the other dynamites.”

Army confirmation

An army officer, who did not want to be named, confirmed the incident.

“We heard the shots in the middle of the night, but as you know, we do not patrol the area at night, so there was nothing we could do,” he said.

The line has been previously targeted by rebels.