Militant blows up SPDC oil wells in Bayelsa

Soji Ajibola, Yenagoa - 04.05.2008

Suspected militant group at the weekend attacked Diebu Creek Flow station of the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Peremabiri, in Southern Ijaw local government area of the state. During the attack which lasted for several hours, at least three oil wells were reportedly blown up, resulting in the oil spill which is now posing danger to the health of the people in the area.

The attacked oil wells, according to an impeccable source are; 1S, 13 OR 15 AND 16T, while the inlet manifold and one separator including delivery lines were reportedly blown up by the suspected militant group.

Even though the Police Public Relations Officer, Iniobong Ibokette as well as his counterpart in the Joint Task Force, Major Abdulahi could not confirm the attack, the SPDC spokesperson, Precious Okolobo confirmed the attack.

His words, Diebu Creek Flow station was attacked last night. A few oil delivery lines are affected and some oil has spilled into the environment.

Sensing the danger inherent in the oil spill, the spokesperson said the company is mobilizing containment booms to stop its spread. In addition, he said the Company has shut in some production volume while the investigation has on the root cause of the matter has commenced.

Sunday Tribune gathered further that even though no life was lost, farmers in the area are now counting their loses as the spill affected the farmland. As at the time of filing this report, no militant group has claimed responsibility for the action. Some people under condition of anonymity described it as sabotage.

Both the Federal Government and the respective states government, sometime early this year signed a peace accord with the respective militant groups in the region with a promise to maintain peace as well as working in collaboration with the government in ensuring the socio-economic growth of the region.