Suspected militants blow up gas pipeline in Ogun

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Suspected militants, who were said to have disguised as maintenance officers from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, have blown up a gas pipeline around PZ Estate in the Ogijo area of Ogun State.

The incident was said to have occurred on Tuesday.

The residents of the community said the men had pretended as if they were officials of the NNPC, who had come to carry out routine maintenance on the gas pipeline in the area.

But the area was thrown into confusion after the hoodlums left as a loud explosion occurred later at night, shattering a section of the gas pipeline.

The loud explosion was said to have sent the residents of the community running for cover.

The affected pipeline is reported to serve an 11.4 distribution line for some companies in Ikorodu in Lagos.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident, saying the state command had deployed its men in the area.

Adejobi, a Superintendent of Police, added, “Some hoodlums on Tuesday went and burst a part of a gas pipeline around PZ Estate in Ogijo.

“We heard that they came as if they were officials of a company in charge of the maintenance of the gas pipeline and the residents were deceived by this ploy.

“We don’t want to conclude yet that they were militants but we call them criminals, and we will get them wherever they are.

“The command has deployed men in the area, and we are working with other sister security agencies. The Divisional Police Officer, Ogijo, Mohammed Tijani, and his team are also there. The Lagos State Police Command has also deployed men on their side in the area.”

Adejobi said as of the time of filing this report, officials of the NNPC were already carrying out repairs to the affected section of the gas pipeline.