20101030
africanews

Militants in Nigeria's Niger Delta region blew up two pipelines belonging to the Nigeria Agip Oil Company in Bayelsa State in the early hours of Saturday, reportedly forcing a shut of the 60,000 of crude oil per day.

The attack comes one year after the federal government amnesty programme, disrupting the relative peace that had been in the region over time.

"Technical operators visited Osiama field to re-open the OS 2Ls that is not flowing. While working, they heard a loud blast like dynamite on the pipeline right of way across the river.

"On going to verify, they saw a spray of oil and a boat with gunmen who opened fire on them. They (Agip operators) took off and have arrived at the station. They (militants) might have blasted the 10-inch pipeline too."
According to This day, the militant leader involved in the attack was said to have sent a message to Agip that the attack "is the beginning of a full scale war with the company and its operations in the area.