Amid reports of sweeping success recorded by the Niger-Delta Security Task Force (JTF) in its current operation aimed at flushing out regrouping militants in the region, a group of suspected militants,reportedly blew up a crude oil pipeline in Delta State.
A new group, which calls itself “The gods”, claimed on Sunday that it blew up a pipeline in the Niger-Delta creeks in Burutu Local Government Area of the state.
The group claimed that the destroyed pipeline conveys crude to the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC).
According to a source close to the resurgent militant group, the pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) was blown up with dynamite at about midnight Friday.
However, details of the alleged attack were unavailable as there was no independent confirmation of the claims.
There was also no word from the JTF either confirming or denying the alleged attack, as at the time of filing this report last night. Security agency’s spokesman, Colonel Timothy Antigha
however promised to make necessary enquiries before getting back to journalists.
Nonetheless, local community sources said that the explosion ignited a large fire that sent thick smoke bellowing into the skies.