Police Say NNPC Pipeline in Akwa Ibom Exploded Due to Technical Fault Not Militant Attack

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The Akwa Ibom Police Command on Monday confirmed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Gas pipeline explosion in Obotim Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

The State Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani, who confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Uyo, attributed the explosion to a technical fault.

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) had alleged that they blew up the oil facility on Sunday at about 11:30PM.

He denied any militant attack on the gas pipeline.

“This is no militancy attack. Our men are on ground and the fire service had put off the fire. It is confirmed that there was an explosion in Obotim Nsit in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of the state. Officials confirmed that the pipelines are old and overdue for servicing. There are technical problems in the gas pipeline,” Mani said.

The Police Commissioner, however, said that there was no casualty and no house was destroyed as a result of the explosion.

The commissioner said that his officers and men were on ground, adding that the place was well-cordoned.

“Our men are putting finishing touches, our people are completely on ground and the place is well cordoned and secured. We are waiting for the experts to give us their reports, so that we can write our report too on the incident,” Mani said.

NAN reports that similar incident occurred on June 16 at Ikot Osutek in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.