Explosions hit oil installations on Friday night, causing panic among indigenes of the coastal communities of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Suspected militants reportedly used dynamites to blow up pipelines belonging to oil giant, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

The attack, which occurred in Orukari, Golubokiri and Kpongbokiri communities, had many residents of the area scampering for safety. It also led to massive spillage of crude into the waters and fishing camps.

Confirming the development in a statement yesterday in Yenagoa, member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly (Brass Constituency I), Israel Sunny-Goli, condemned the attack.

He said: “Preliminary investigations show that the bombing of the pipeline was an act of sabotage carried out to hurt the economic interests of Bayelsa State and Nigeria.”

He said the latest explosion, coming after the bombing of pipelines in the same area, recently, is worrisome and capable of forcing oil companies out of operation, with grave consequences for the nation’s economy.

Sunny-Goli called on the government to beef up security around oil facilities.

“I want to condemn the latest attack on Agip pipeline at Kpongbokiri. This is a clear sabotage by economic vandals. Recently, they blasted pipelines at Orukari and Golubokiri. I condemn this latest attack in its entirety. It is sabotage against Nigeria and a bid to cripple the economy at a time when the nation is struggling with decline in revenue due to the fall in oil prices,” he said, adding: Bayelsans, especially those that have oil facilities around them, should also be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to security agencies.”

•Sourced from The Guardian on Sunday. Photo shows aftermath of pipeline explosion.

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