Armed youths from Oporoma community in Bayelsa State held about 60 workers of Shell Petroleum Development Company and some, military personnel hostage in the early hours of Tuesday during an invasion of the oil firms Field Logistics Base (FLB) attached to the Nun River Flowstation.
The militant youths were also said to have taken an undisclosed number of naval personnel hostage during the attack. Navy spokesman, Captain Obiora Medani confirmed in a telephone interview last night that only two or three naval personnel were providing security at the oil facility. He said they and the Shell workers had been disallowed by the militants from leaving the facility.
Shell in a press statement said the militants took control of the security post at the FLB after firing warning shots.
�They are holding some of its (FLB) 60 and other contract staff hostage,� the statement said.
Consequently, the oil company said it had shut the Nun River Flowstation, resulting in production loss of some 12,000 barrels of oil per day.
Though no reasons have been given for the actions of the militants, the invasion however came as a rude shock to the Bayelsa State Government as it claimed there was no disagreement between oil communities and Shell in the area.
The Commissioner of Environment, Mr. Victor Akenge who confirmed the incident said government was already looking into the matter and would raise a delegation to dialogue with the militants and investigate the reasons behind the invasion.
Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa state Police Command, Mr. Hafiz Ringim who also confirmed the incident, however, said it was a military affair.
Spokesman of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Major Said Hammed said the military was still investigating the incident, to ascertain what really happened.
Also, Mr. Joseph Ollor-Obari, Shell Media Relations Manager, East, who spoke to Daily Sun in a telephone interview, said the company was still investigating if any of its workers was affected.
Ollor-Obari who said the militants had made no demands added that they were expecting the Bayelsa State Government to intervene.
�Yes, some youths attacked our oil facility, but we don�t have details yet. We don�t know why they invaded the place and we are waiting for them to tell us. But we expect the Bayelsa State Government to intervene,� he added.