The Joint Military Task Force deployed to the Niger Delta to protect oil infrastructure on Wednesday confirmed an explosion at an oil field operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company in Delta State.
Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Daudu, the Spokesman of the joint force, code-named: Operation Delta Safe, who confirmed the development to News Agency of Nigeria in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said investigations had commenced.
He said troops deployed to the area heard an explosion at the Bantan Flow Station run by NPDC, a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.
Daudu said: “Troops of Operation Delta Safe located at Sector 1, in Delta while on routine patrol heard an explosive sound caused by suspected economic saboteurs at Batan Flow Station around Ekweregbene, Bantan general area.
“The incident is however, being investigated and details will be made available as events unfold.
“Also, troops of Forward Operation Base, deployed at Bonny in Rivers, while on anti crude oil theft/ illegal bunkering patrol, discovered two illegal refinery sites along Ogbunku Creek.”
Daudu further said the troops recovered three 40 horse power outboard engines and three pumping machines.
NAN sources in the area said no militant group has claimed responsibility for the explosion, coming barely 24 hours after the Niger Delta stakeholders met with President Muhammadu Buhari.
NAN also gathered that the attack breached a crude export line that was commissioned on Monday.
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