The new militant group, Niger Delta Red Squad [NDRS] has blown up a gas pipeline owned by Shell Oil Company.
The attack was carried out in the oil-rich community of Awara in Ohaji/Egbema Council Area of Imo State.
The militants attacked the Shell Oil facility at about 5:30 a.m.
It could be recalled that the new militants emerged in Imo State with severe threats to surpass its predecessors especially the Niger Delta Avengers.
NDRS had warned oil companies to evacuate their workers with immediate effect or face its wrath.
Barely twenty-four hours after issuing the threat, militants struck on Thursday .
A report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that the police have confirmed the attack.
It quoted the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Andrew Enwerem, as telling journalists in Owerri that the police received report of the attack in the early hours of yesterday.
However, Shell Company did not confirm the attack, claiming that that the pipeline in question has been shut for repairs since June 8.
A spokesman for the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr Precious Okolobo, was quoted as saying:
“The Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), which runs through Awara, Imo State at the Assa-Rumuekpe line, has been shut for repairs since June 8, following a leak at Okolo launch, Bonny in Rivers State.
He, however, said that the company is investigating the reported incident at Awara”
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