A Niger Delta Group, Niger Delta Intelligentsia Team (NDIT) has fingered the political upheaval in Rivers State as responsible for the Monday explosion of the Trans Niger Pipeline TNP.
This is as the State Police confirming the incident, disclosed the arrest of two persons in alleged connection to the explosion at Bodo, in Gokana Local Government Area of the state.
The explosion which occurred at Bodo community in Ogoniland resulted in a huge spill of crude oil on the environment with an associated inferno.
It is widely feared that the sad incident happened on the heels of threats by some Niger Delta groups and individuals who are moving against attempts by political gladiators to impeach the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara in the heat of the ongoing political crisis.
Even though the cause of the Bodo explosion is yet to be ascertained, General Secretary of the Niger Delta Intelligentsia Team (NDIT) said it strongly believes that the explosion was highly politically motivated.
Speaking with Journalists in Port Harcourt, Nse Victor Udoh, Secretary General of the group stated that though information about the explosion was still sketchy he suspected the explosion was a politically motivated attack.
He explained that the group’s position is hinged on the fact that for about a year now or there about there had been zero incidents on the TNP. “All of us are aware of that but recently, people have been issuing threats of possible incidents of vandalism and attacks on oil facilities”.
Udo explained; “It’s like when the owl cries at night and the baby dies in the morning, definitely fingers will point that the owl has something to do with it. So, I’m strongly of the opinion that this a politically motivated incident. Not a consequence of normal occurrence”.
Speaking on the location of the threats being away from the area where the explosion occurred, he said; “The Niger Delta and all of us criss-cross the domain, all of us interact and move around.
“That somebody wants to respond to an issue politically and decides to do it in an area that fingers will not be easily pointed at him does not necessarily make us dumb to consider it not a consequence of political tension, whether it happens deep into the communities where the threats were made or a little bit from the dry land where the threats were not made from.”
He added; “nobody said they were going to blow up the pipeline in Bayelsa or in Gbegena or anywhere. It was just said that the pipeline will be torched in the Niger Delta. Those who kept issuing the threat did not specify where they would carry it out. So, this is within the region and very significantly within Rivers State. This is highly political. But at this time, we have to call on the security agencies to be a bit more vigilant over the national oil assets.
“If they have been able to maintain less infraction for almost a year now, they have been able to engage communities, develop trust and allow things to work normally and there is this incident that some of us are thinking is politically connected, then it’s not undermining their efficiency. It is only calling on them to take any threats they hear whether it is from whatever quarters. Whether it is related to politics or wherever the threats come from they must be very proactive about it.
He however pointed out that, at the moment, all claims about the conclusion only constitute preliminary observations.
“Experts will investigate and know what the cause is and we will patiently wait to see what the outcome of the investigation will show. Whether it is equipment failure or whatever it is. But I want to call on the federal government and the security agencies to be eagle eyed.
“Investigations are underway and I’m not professionally equipped, it will be hasty to categorically point at equipment failure but whatever it is we are thinking that this is highly politically motivated”, Udo stated.
Meanwhile, a group under the aegis of Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) has disabused the claim the explosion incident was politically motivated.
Executive Director of Advocacy Centre, Fyneface Dumnamene, told journalists in Port Harcourt, that “The incident is suspected to have been caused by sabotage as a dug-out pit is spotted in the area but this is still subject to confirmation by NOSDRA”.
Fyneface, who stated that “Attack on oil installation over the Rivers State political crisis can’t happen on Ogoni soil”, called on NOSDRA to swing into action and carry out JIV to the site with other stakeholders including the operator of the facility”.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who had earlier confirmed the incident, said the explosion occurred on Monday night, assuring that the situation has been brought under control.
Iringe-Koko in a statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, who did not mention if the fire was as a result of an explosion or a spill that later got burnt, also did not note if the development was caused by a Militant group.
She stated that a surveillance team in the area observed the fire incident and reported to the operators, adding that there is no further threat.
Iringe-Koko said: “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that a fire incident occurred at the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) operated Trans Niger Delta Pipeline, located at the border of Kpor and Bodo communities.
“During a routine night patrol, security operatives observed the incident and promptly alerted SPDC management.
“The latter initiated necessary safety protocols, including shutting down the affected pipeline. As a result of swift intervention, the situation is now under control, and there is no further threat to residents or the environment.”
Iringe-Koko, however, disclosed that police have opened an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the fire, adding that two people have been arrested for interrogation.
“The Rivers State Police Command has commenced a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire. In connection with this, two individuals have been taken in for questioning as part of efforts to uncover any potential act of sabotage.
“The Command remains committed to ensuring that perpetrators of criminal activities are identified and brought to justice”.
The command however, urged residents to remain calm and vigilant, assuring them of their unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.
“The Command will not relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and maintain peace and security for all,” she added.
