Youths apprehend Agip pipeline vandals in Bayelsa

A group of armed pipeline vandals from Ikienghenbiri community who allegedly blew up a major oil pipeline line owned by Agip with dynamites have been arrested by youths of Azuzuama community, who got an inkling of their planned attack.

According to reports, the vandals attacked the pipeline conveying crude oil from Tebidaba to Brass terminal which is located in swampy of Azuzuama-Ikienghenbiri axis in Bayelsa.

Jonathan Obuebite, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation in a statement said the pipeline vandals who were led by Suoyou, Iyelawei and Fyneboy were apprehended by youths of Azuzuama community.

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Sources say the armed groups were locked in tussle for control of the Tebidaba-Brass crude trunk line, which passed through the area.

“The armed men vandalized the pipeline along Azuzuama-Ikienghenbiri axis of the Tebidaba-Brass pipeline with dynamites and also ignited fire on the line. The vandalized point is still on fire,” a source said.

“We understand that it is a conflict between two armed groups for access to the crude pipeline, one group claims to be working to safeguard the pipeline and said that members of tthe other group are vandals, they have been shooting.

“The sound of the gunfire is scaring and there is no sign of the Joint Task Force, JTF, soldiers who are supposed to be patrolling the area, we have not seen any soldier,” the source added.

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