Vandals Puncture 24-Inch Gas Pipeline in Bayelsa, Govt Vows to Prosecute Perpetrators

Some unidentified vandals have destroyed a 24-inch gas pipeline in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, in an apparent economic sabotage that has elicited widespread condemnation.

The Bayelsa State Government has condemned the attack on the Ogboinbiri/Obiobi pipeline, which connects Angiama and Angiamagbene communities and vowed to punish the perpetrators.

According to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, the attack is a serious threat to national assets and the environment, and the government is working with security agencies to apprehend the attackers and bring them to justice.

“The security of national assets is the responsibility of everyone, and we urge all citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity around public assets to the law enforcement agencies,” Koku-Obiyai said.

The commissioner warned that the vandalization of public property is not only loss of revenue to the federal, state, and local governments but also foretells grave environmental dangers, including the risk of oil spillage and pollution. He also noted that careless exposure to petroleum products is a great danger to the health of the people of the area.

Koku-Obiyai called on the youths of the communities not to give in to the urge to engage in acts that are harmful to national properties and to report suspicious individuals and movements to the relevant authorities for immediate action.

The government has vowed to do all it can to protect national assets and secure the citizens, and has called on the public to cooperate with security agencies to prevent such future attacks.

The pipeline attack is the latest in a series of incidents of vandalism and sabotage to afflict the oil-rich Niger Delta region, and has raised alarm bells over the security and integrity of critical infrastructure in the region.

Bayelsa State Government has promised citizens that it is resolved to protect national assets and the well-being of residents, and has called for increased vigilance and cooperation from members of the public so as to prevent such incidents.