Irate youth from two Ijaw communities in Bayelsa State, yesterday invaded an oil flow-station belonging to Italian oil giant, Nigerian Agip Oil Company and overpowered military men on guard duty before shutting down operation on the installation.
Actions of the youths, allegedly from Ikebiri and Olugbobiri, is coming barely one week after some militants took over the Klough Creek Flow Station, also belonging to the company.
THISDAY gathered that the youths invaded the Tebidaba flow station located between both communities in a commando operation that caught soldiers on guard duties on the facility unaware, a situation which made resistance almost impossible.
The soldiers were said to have offered little resistance before being forced to surrender due to superior fire power from the militants.
As at the time of writing this report, it could not be ascertained if there were any casualty to the invasion. However, THISDAY gathered that the militants have taken over and are still stationed at the facility as at yesterday evening.
The militants are also holding all the company�s workers on board the facility hostage, with none allowed to leave the flow station as at press time.
A spokesman for the youth who refused to have his name in print, said the action of the youths is a reaction to the refusal of Agip to honour the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with host communities about two years ago.
It would be recalled that militants from Egbemangalabiri community took over the Agip�s Klough Creek flow station in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa, claiming Agip�s refusal to implement the MoU signed with the people three years ago.
The Egbemangalabiri youths vacated the flow station, last week Wednesday.
Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Mr Hafiz Ringim, confirmed the invasion of the Tebidaba flow station by the militants, but said he was yet to be officially briefed on the incident.
Nov72006