An unknown militant group in the Niger Delta region has reportedly blew up the Abura oil pipeline, a major oil trunkline operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company around Osieta Avenue near Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.Our correspondent gathered that the trunkline was reportedly bombed on Sunday morning about 6:40am by the militants causing a serious fire outbreak in the area.
The incident occurred a kilometre near the West African biggest Otorogu Gas Plant, hosted by Otu-Jeremi, Iwhrekan and Otor-Udu communities across Ughelli South and Udu council areas of the state.
Local residents in the area confirmed the incident saying that attack was heralded with loud explosive sounds before they later observed a fire outbreak in the area.
A source said it was the swift intervention of the fire service from the Otorogu Gas Plant that stopped the raging fire from spreading to residential buildings.
There was no casualty in the incident which lasted for over five hours to be put off, another source added.
The Abura oil pipeline is one the major trunklines that supplies crude to the Otu-Jeremi Flow Station and the Otorogu Gas Plant.
The Chairman of Ughelli South Council Area, Mr Paul Etaga, who had earlier visited the scene of the attack with along with the Lt. Col. U Abdusalam, Commander, 222 Battalion, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North council, confirmed the incident.