Explosion Kills 12 Persons From Rivers State Oil Pipeline Vandalism, Theft — NSCDC

The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has condemned the pipeline vandalism and fuel scooping that led to the loss of lives in the state.

According to the NSCDC, 12 persons lost their lives in the deadly explosion at an illegal refinery site located in Obrikom Obiafu 1 & 2, Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government of Rivers State.

The tragedy occurred on Sunday morning following a fire incident that started after some youths allegedly vandalised a pipeline belonging to a multinational oil firm and started scooping fuel.

Reacting to the persistent pipeline vandalism and other illegal oil bunkering activities, the NSCDC Rivers State Commandant Basil Igwebueze said the Anti-vandal Squad under his watch had destroyed about seven Illegal oil dumps and arrested over 292 suspects.

He hinted that both the water ways and land were being patrolled to ensure effective security and protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure in the state, a statement signed by SC Olufemi Ayodele, Public Relations Officer of NSCDC Rivers State Command on Wednesday said.

According to the statement, Igwebueze further affirmed that the fire explosion would not have occurred if the Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipelines were not vandalised by “desperate individuals”.

He noted that the content being scooped was Condensate (liquid substance), which was described as very close to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Although, when placed under close observation, it is a bit different from PMS.

He said, “Information reaching us on the fire explosion suffice that some unscrupulous elements manoeuvre their way to the pipeline, vandalized it and started scooping fuel.”

The NSCDC Commandant General Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi also condemned “all activities amounting to economic sabotage”.

In view of the foregoing the Rivers State Command has stepped up its operational efficiency, surveillance and Intelligence expertise in the Protection of all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure with relentless Anti vandalism drive, constant security patrol amongst others.

He said, “We would continue to partner with Sister Security Agencies most especially the already constituted Joint Security Task Force to combat the menace of illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State.

“It is also very pertinent to condole and commiserate with families of the deceased and those who sustained various degrees of injuries.

“Notably, during the explosion about 4 farm plantations were destroyed, 12 persons lost their lives while others were badly injured; all these could have been avoided if our people in Rivers State consciously and truly understood that any act of vandalism or attack against oil pipelines and other critical infrastructure would definitely have a degrading and debilitating effect on the community, the lives and property of people. The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has condemned the pipeline vandalism and fuel scooping that led to the loss of lives in the state.

According to the NSCDC, 12 persons lost their lives in the deadly explosion at an illegal refinery site located in Obrikom Obiafu 1 & 2, Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government of Rivers State.

The tragedy occurred on Sunday morning following a fire incident that started after some youths allegedly vandalised a pipeline belonging to a multinational oil firm and started scooping fuel.

Reacting to the persistent pipeline vandalism and other illegal oil bunkering activities, the NSCDC Rivers State Commandant Basil Igwebueze said the Anti-vandal Squad under his watch had destroyed about seven Illegal oil dumps and arrested over 292 suspects.
He hinted that both the water ways and land were being patrolled to ensure effective security and protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure in the state, a statement signed by SC Olufemi Ayodele, Public Relations Officer of NSCDC Rivers State Command on Wednesday said.

According to the statement, Igwebueze further affirmed that the fire explosion would not have occurred if the Nigerian Agip Oil Company pipelines were not vandalised by “desperate individuals”.

He noted that the content being scooped was Condensate (liquid substance), which was described as very close to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Although, when placed under close observation, it is a bit different from PMS.

He said, “Information reaching us on the fire explosion suffice that some unscrupulous elements manoeuvre their way to the pipeline, vandalized it and started scooping fuel.”

The NSCDC Commandant General Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi also condemned “all activities amounting to economic sabotage”.

In view of the foregoing the Rivers State Command has stepped up its operational efficiency, surveillance and Intelligence expertise in the Protection of all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure with relentless Anti vandalism drive, constant security patrol amongst others.

He said, “We would continue to partner with Sister Security Agencies most especially the already constituted Joint Security Task Force to combat the menace of illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers State.

“It is also very pertinent to condole and commiserate with families of the deceased and those who sustained various degrees of injuries.

“Notably, during the explosion about 4 farm plantations were destroyed, 12 persons lost their lives while others were badly injured; all these could have been avoided if our people in Rivers State consciously and truly understood that any act of vandalism or attack against oil pipelines and other critical infrastructure would definitely have a degrading and debilitating effect on the community, the lives and property of people and the nation’s economy at large.” and the nation’s economy at large.”