•Oil pipeline
Residents of Odau community in Abua/Odual local government area of Rivers State, have reportedly deserted the community following emission of gas leak suspected to come from the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), operated by Nigeria Agip Oil Company ( NAOC), which enveloped the community, resulting in suffocation.
It was learnt that there were multiple attacks by suspected hoodlums on Shell and NAOC facilities in the area, between Monday June 15 and Thursday June 18, resulting in a fire incident and gas leak, reports The Nation.
One of the community sources simply identified as Joseph who narrated the incident to the media in Port Harcourt yesterday said the attacks started about 9:00 Monday evening when they heard sporadic gun shots from the direction of the pipeline.
“The shooting started around 9:00 Pm on Monday when some people were yet to eat their dinner. The shooting was so intense and lasted several hours that some people ran into the bushes for safety. The attackers later used dynamite to hit the pipeline belonging to Shell, which burst into flames,” he said.
Speaking further, the source said, “The fire lasted throughout Tuesday, We thought that the attackers had left. But on Wednesday night around 9:00 pm again, they resumed shooting. Security agencies were deployed to the scene, yet the shooting lasted until 4.00am on Thursday when they also used dynamite to hit the Agip pipeline.
“It is a gas pipeline and the gas spread through the community that made people run away from the community because people couldn’t breathe. We were suffocating. As I speak with you, people are starving. Some people are still in the bushes, while some others ran into neighbouring communities. No food to eat and we are starving,” he said.
He also revealed that the Community Development Committee (CDC) chairman and one other person were arrested after they led Agip personnel to the site.
“You know as a community leader, when he (the CDC chairman) led the Agip personnel to the site, he was asked some questions, which he tried to answer, so they handcuffed him and one other person and said they should get to their office to offer more explanation,” he stated.
Joseph called on the company and relevant agencies to come to the aid of the community so they can go back to their homes.
“We are a farming and fishing community. We are calling on te relevant agencies and the company to come to our aid so that we can go back to our community,” he pleaded.
Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), an indigenous pipeline security firm, at the security firm’s last stakeholders meeting in Port Harcourt on Friday, hinted on the attacks on the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP), Zone 8, by armed individuals, but failed to give details on the incident.
Giving the hint, PINL said, “Unfortunate incident has been promptly escalated to the relevant security authorities for urgent intervention and necessary action. We are confident that the security agencies will take appropriate measures to apprehend those responsible and prevent any recurrence.
“We wish to emphasise that attacks on critical national infrastructure have far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate damage caused. Such acts pose serious environmental risks, including pollution and ecosystem degradation, while also threatening the livelihoods of host communities whose economic activities depend on a safe and healthy environment.”
They called on all stakeholders, community leaders, youths, contractors, surveillance personnel, and security agencies to remain vigilant and continue to work together in protecting these vital national assets.
“The security of our pipelines is a collective responsibility, and their protection is essential for sustainable development, environmental preservation, and the economic well-being of our communities and the nation at large,” they said.
