Hoodlums suspected of being oil thieves have vandalized the Ogboinbiri/Obiobi 24-inch gas pipeline, located between Angiama and Angiamagbene in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The pipeline, previously operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, is now under the management of Oando Plc.
The Bayelsa State Government has strongly condemned the attack and pledged to work with security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible. Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation, and Strategy, issued a statement on Friday, calling the incident an act of economic sabotage that will not be tolerated.
“The Bayelsa State Government condemns the criminal damage of the Ogboinbiri/Obiobi 24-inch Gas Pipeline. This act of economic sabotage will not be tolerated,” she said. “The government is collaborating with security agencies to apprehend the culprits and prevent further incidents. Protecting national assets is a collective responsibility, and we urge citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.”
Koku-Obiyai also highlighted the significant risks posed by the pipeline damage, noting that it not only results in revenue loss for all levels of government but also presents serious environmental and health dangers. “Exposure to natural gas and petrochemicals can lead to major health problems for citizens,” she warned.
She appealed to the youth of the state to avoid engaging in destructive acts, urging them to work with the government to maintain peace and protect public infrastructure. “Together, we can achieve the government’s prosperity goals and develop infrastructure that will attract investment,” she said.
Koku-Obiyai concluded by stressing the importance of collective efforts to protect public assets and prevent further economic sabotage.