By Tunde Goodknows
Niger Delta militants have reportedly resumed hostility with fresh attack on a crude oil pipeline operated by ConOil Plc at Koluama community in Southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State.
The incident which is being claimed to have been reportedly carried by a militant group, Koluama Seven Brothers (KSB), WARRI TODAY learnt occurred late Friday night.
Community sources told our reporter that the indigenes of the Koluama communities were woken up to the deafening sound which created tension and anxiety among residents of the area.
KSB claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday.
The group said their action is a warning to the oil firm over poor treatment of locals.
KSB’s statement signed one Angel Michael said, “Our early hour’s strike of 12:20am 4th January 2019 at angle 2 field of Conoil is just a warning to Conoil, King Solomon Eddy and his cartel
“If Conoil and King Solomon fails to address the issues behind the MoU, scholarships, job creation for peace love people of Koluama clan, then we get no other option than to launch a strike to shut down Conoil.”
However, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has called for calm over the incident, saying that it would be too quick to attribute the attack to renewed hostility in the region.
IYC President, Mr Eric Omare, noted that the IYC was already investigating the incident and promised to issue a detailed statement in later date.
“I am yet to get the details of the pipeline explosion hence it would be premature to assume that it was a militant attack. I will issue a detail statement”, Omare stated.
While speaking on the incident, the youth leader of Koluama community, Comrade Henry Omietimi, said they had already commenced investigation to ascertain whether it was attack or a pipeline rupture.
When contacted, the Media Officer to the Bayelsa Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense, .J. N. Harcourt, confirmed the attack.
He added, “I am yet to receive full details from the Officer in Charge of Koluama due to bad network.”
