Gas pipeline in Niger Delta operated by Nigeria’s NNPC attacked: community group

A gas pipeline in Nigeria’s restive Niger Delta region operated by the state energy company was attacked late on Thursday, a spokesman for a local community group and a witness said on Friday. The pipeline connects the Escravos oil terminal to Warri, supplies gas to different parts of the country.  Nigeria has seen a resurgence in militant attacks in the oil-rich southern region in the last few weeks, with strikes on pipelines and oil facilities. A group calling itself the Niger Delta Avengers has claimed responsibility for most of them.

Eric Omare, a spokesman for the Ijaw Youth Council, said the attack occurred around the village of Ogbe Ijoh, near Warri. Local resident James Dadiowei said a “loud bang” at the NNPC pipeline had thrown the community into panic on Thursday night.

“The explosion occurred last night on the pipeline belonging to NNPC [Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation],” said Omare. A spokesman for NNPC was unable to confirm the attack.