NSCDC Blames Pipeline Vandalism for Fire Explosion in Rivers

•Confirms 12 persons died in incident

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, has blamed pipeline vandals for the fire explosion that occurred in the early hours of Saturday, at Obrikom Obiafu 1 & 2, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government of the state.

The NSCDC Commandant in the State, Basil Igwebueze, who condemned the  acts that led to the fire explosion, said the incident would have been averted if vandals did not tamper with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) pipelines in the area.

Igwebueze explained that the content being scooped was condensate at the sites of incident, which is very close to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), although, when placed under close observation, it is a bit different from petrol.

Speaking further on the incident, the NSCDC commandant said the anti-vandal squad under his watch had destroyed about seven illegal oil dumps and made the arrests of over 292 suspects.

He hinted that both the waterways and land were being patrolled to ensure effective security and protection of all critical national assets and infrastructure in Rivers state.

“Information reaching us on the fire explosion suggests that some unscrupulous elements manoeuvred their ways to the pipeline, vandalised it and started scooping fuel,” he said.

Igwebueze reaffirmed that NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi, condemns all activities amounting to economic sabotage.

He said the Rivers state command had 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.

Igwebueze assured that the NSCDC would continue to partner with sister security agencies, especially the constituted joint security task force to combat the menace of illegal oil bunkering activities in Rivers state.

He commiserated with families of the deceased and those who sustained various degrees of injuries.

Igwebueze revealed that during the explosion , about four farm plantation were destroyed, 12 persons lost their lives while others were badly injured.

He added: “All these could be avoided if our people in Rivers state consciously and truly understand 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”