In a recent act of vandalism, suspected oil thieves have attacked the Ogboinbiri/Obiobi 24-inch gas pipeline, located between Angiama and Angiamagbene in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This pipeline, which was once operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company, is now under the management of Oando Plc. The destruction of this critical infrastructure is suspected to be linked to illegal oil activities in the region.
The Bayelsa State government has strongly condemned the act, with the Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, issuing a statement on April 5, 2025. She described the attack as an act of economic sabotage and reiterated that such criminal acts would not be tolerated under any circumstances. The state government has pledged to collaborate with security agencies to track down and apprehend the culprits behind the vandalism.
The damage to the pipeline not only leads to significant revenue losses for the government at all levels but also poses severe environmental risks. Natural gas and petrochemicals leaking from damaged pipelines can cause substantial harm to the health of local residents. The state government has called on citizens to be more vigilant, urging them to report any suspicious activities around public infrastructure to the authorities.
In her statement, Koku-Obiyai also appealed to the youth in the state to refrain from engaging in such destructive behaviors and instead work towards fostering peace and protecting public assets. She emphasized the need for collective action to secure national resources, suggesting that the prosperity of the state and the protection of public infrastructure were crucial for attracting investments and ensuring the community’s well-being.