MEND destroys oil pipeline in Bayelsa, threatens more attacks

Posted by admin Headlines, Niger Delta Friday, April 13th, 2012

The deadly militant group based in Niger Delta region, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), has carried out a devastating attack in Bayelsa State, destroying oil installations belonging to Agip.
The attack was carried out after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued by aggrieved ex-militants in the Niger Delta over their non-inclusion in the amnesty programme.

The threat by the ex-militants led by a certain General Owei Paboh a.k.a Lukuluku to return to the creeks and attack oil installations had prompted the Joint Military Task Force ( JTF) code named Operation Pulo Shield to increase surveillance around oil installations, while its men were placed on red alert to thwart any planned attack.

However, in an attack in the early hours of yesterday, MEND fighters were said to have stormed the Clough Creek, Teibidaba, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa, where they launched the attack.
Spokesman for MEND, Jomo Gbomo said the attack is one in the series of attacks that would be carried out in the region.
The terse statement stated that the militant group after carrying out the future attacks would issue a full statement.

The statement reads: “At 0210 Hrs on Friday, April 13, 2012, fighters of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) attacked and destroyed one wellhead and one manifold on trunk lines belonging to Agip Oil Company, a member of the Italian ENI group. These attacks took place in Clough Creek, Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. More attacks and a full statement will follow.”
An official of ENI group which owns the pipeline confirmed the attack, stating that the company is studying the situation.
Sources at the JTF said its men are still investigating the incident to ascertain the group that carried out the attack.

-Sunwp_posts