LAGOS, Nigeria – The Nigerian government has condemned the recent vandalism of a major crude oil pipeline in Bayelsa State and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. The 18-inch Tebidaba-Brass pipeline, a critical piece of oil infrastructure, was attacked in the Lagos-Gbene area, disrupting crude supply to the Brass terminal.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, visited the site of the attack and described the vandalism as “a serious economic crime” that undermines national revenue, energy security, and community development.
The shutdown of the pipeline has resulted in significant losses for the Nigerian government, operating companies, and host communities, who now hold a 3% stake in oil operations under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
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Lokpobiri emphasized that the government will not tolerate such acts of sabotage and will use all available means to identify and prosecute those responsible.
The Minister praised the swift response of indigenous operators in repairing the pipeline, contrasting it with the often slower response times of international oil companies (IOCs).
Lokpobiri called for greater community collaboration and intelligence-sharing to prevent future incidents, stating that protecting oil assets is a shared responsibility. He assured Nigerians of the government’s commitment to safeguarding national resources, restoring operational stability, and upholding the rule of law in the oil and gas sector.
Pipeline vandalism is a persistent problem in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, where many communities feel marginalized and deprived of the benefits of oil production. The attacks often disrupt oil production and cause environmental damage. The government’s response to this latest incident will be closely watched as it seeks to balance security concerns with the need to address the underlying grievances of local communities.
