Oil Thieves Caused Pipeline Fire Explosion In Abia – NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have blamed suspected oil thieves activities for the fire explosion on System 2E pipeline network in Umuaduru and Umuimo communities in Abia state.

The was disclosed by the Corporation in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja.

He said contrary to allegations that the corporation caused the fire incidence last week Friday, the incidence was triggered off by suspected oil thieves who had hacked into System 2E pipeline network with a view to intercepting the flow of petrol from Port Harcourt to Aba.

Ughamadu said the clarification was necessitated by the recent statement by a legislator indicting NNPC on the fire outbreak, which killed many people and destroyed many valuable.

He said items such as jerrycans, among others, at the incident scene was an indication that the activities of vandals in the area ignited the flame.

He called on relevant government agencies to collaborate with the corporation to appropriately criminalize vandalism of oil facilities across the country, adding that host communities should also partner the NNPC to tame the scourge.