Suspected cultists blew up a gas facility in Akala Olu village, Ahoada West local government area of Rivers state on Sunday, February 7. According to a statement issued on Monday, February 8, by the assistant director of army public relations, 2 Brigade in Port Harcourt, Captain Eli Lazarus, the destroyed pipeline belonged to the Nigeria Agip Oil Company.
The Punch reports that cultists believed to be members of the Icelander cult group had demanded the release of Emmanuel Odum, who was said to be undergoing interrogation for his alleged involvement in pipeline vandalism and cult-related activities. They had also threatened to carry out further attacks on oil and gas pipelines unless their demands were met.
However, Lazarus stressed that the military would not do the bidding of any criminal group, cautioning that the army would deal with anybody caught vandalising the nation’s pipelines.“I wish to state categorically that 2 Brigade will not be cowed into doing the bidding of any criminal group. For the avoidance of doubt, anyone caught vandalising such critical national asset will be severely dealt with in accordance with the law.
“Additionally, it is now known that some politicians are arming these groups and encouraging them with inciting comments to breach public peace. No one should be in doubt of the capacity of the military to deal decisively with such persons.
“If anyone is caught breaching public peace, particularly during the forthcoming elections, such person/persons should have themselves to blame. Already, some suspected patrons and sponsors of these criminals groups are being closely monitored by security agencies,” he said.
Lazarus called on the public to assist the brigade with relevant information that could help in tracing and arresting those responsible.
A week ago, suspected militants attacked a pipeline owned by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company in Brass local government area of Bayelsa state.
Preliminary investigations showed that it was an act of sabotage carried out to hurt the economic interests of the state and the whole country.
