Sylvester Idowu in Warri
The Joint Task Force (JTF) code named Operation Delta Safe yesterday debunked an alleged militants’ attack on a pipeline operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in Delta State last Tuesday.
The Coordinator of Joint Media Campaign Centre of JTF, Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Marcellinus Daudu, however confirmed in a statement that a bushfire near the pipeline was misconstrued to be an attack by militants.
THISDAY checks also revealed that a farmer had set fire to a bush close to the pipeline but did not affect the oil facility.
“A farmer set fire to his farm close to the NPDC facility. That is what was misconstrued to be an attack by militant. The fire did not even affect the facility,” an industry source told THISDAY.
Colonel Daudu also confirmed that investigations by JTF revealed the fire outbreak was a result of bush burning escalated by previous oil spill from one of the facilities of the NPDC located at Ekiugbo Afiesere and Inene Community in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State.
“It should be noted that no pipeline was affected neither was there any explosion,” he added.
“The attention of Headquarters of Operation Delta Safe has been drawn to purported media reports of pipeline explosion caused by militants in Ughelli, Delta State.
“The incident that occurred was a fire outbreak as a result of bush burning escalated by previous oil spill from one of the facilities of the NPDC located at Ekiugbo Afiesere and Inene Community in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State,” he said in the statement.
The JTF spokesman warned mischief makers and journalists to stop propagating discord and unsubstantiated stories to seek relevance and cause unnecessary tension.
He declared: “Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe wishes to use this opportunity to caution all from propagating discord and unsubstantiated stories in other to seek relevance and cause unnecessary tension are advised to desist from such practice.
“They should rather be guided by national interest and security as they go about their professional duties.”
