The Niger Delta Avengers has claimed responsibility for the attack on gas pipeline belonging to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), in Obotim Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
The attack on the NNPC gas pipeline which was located in Ikot Okukuk Nsit Junction in Nsit Ibom local council occurred around 12pm on Sunday, according to local villagers.
But statement by the spokesperson of the avengers, Mudoch Agbinibo, said the facility was blown up at about 11:30pm on Sunday night.
The statement also asked the NNPC authorities to check their facility whether they will claim if it was “system anomaly” as Exxon Mobil recently did before later affirming similar attack on their facilities in the state.
The statement by the avengers read: “11:30pm on Sunday, the NDA blow up Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), gas pipeline at Nsit-Ibom L.G.A, Akwa Ibom state. NNPC should check their pipeline if it’s ‘system Anomaly’.”
Before Sunday’s attack on NNPC gas pipeline in Nsit Ibom, around June this year, the Niger Delta Volunteers, (NDV), announced its presence in Akwa Ibom State.
The group had in a statement signed by its spokesman, a self-styled Commander Ekpo Ekpo, claimed responsibility for the attack on gas pipeline belonging to NNPC/NGC supplying gas to ALSCON, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.
Even when the State Government and the Police Commissioner, Murtala Mani, had both denied the knowledge of the attack and called it a gas leakage, the militants had insisted that its professionals attacked the pipeline at exactly 11:45am on Thursday June 16 to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari who was due in the country from oversea trips.
The group had warned that the ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and the Niger Delta militants should be extended to Akwa Ibom state otherwise it would shut down some major platforms and flowlines in the state.
They also vowed to attack some “selfish” paramount rulers in the state who connive with oil companies to “siphon” money meant for community development.
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