Avengers warn AGIP against repair of blown pipelines

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) has warned against the commencement of repair works on blown pipelines in Bayelsa state.

Mudoch Agbinibo, spokesman of the group, gave the warning on Friday.

“We (Niger Delta Avengers) are sending this warning message to #AGIP not to commence repair works on any of the blown pipelines in Bayelsa. We will make you regret it, if you even dare us,” he wrote on Twitter.

The group has claimed responsibility for attacks on major pipeline facilities across the country.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa command of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed attacks on crude oil pipelines operated by Agip.

Desmond Agu, commandant of NSCDC in Bayelsa, said there was no loss of oil recorded in the incident because the pipelines had been shut as at the time of the attack.

“The pipelines located within Agip’s oil fields were attacked but we got reports that the pipeline was attacked after it had been shut down, so there is no loss of crude or leakage,” he told NAN.

“We have dispatched our men and we have intensified patrols in the area. We are working round the clock to protect critical infrastructure in Bayelsa,” Agu said.

Rabe Abubakar, spokesman of the defence headquarters, has vowed that the military will not bow to the group.

“The military is not unmindful of the campaign of calumny against our soldiers by paid agents claiming that soldiers are harassing members of the public while performing their constitutional responsibility.

“The military and other security agencies will continue to discharge their lawful duties in the Niger Delta and any other part of the country in a most professional manner devoid of the claim by the criminal elements of harassment, intimidation and arrest. Our job is to secure infrastructural facilities and property of innocent citizens as well as containing the activities of criminal.”