Police Confirm Attack on Shell Facility in Imo

The police have confirmed an attack on a facility belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at Awarra, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Andrew Enwerem, told journalists in Owerri that the police received report of the attack in the early hours of yesterday.

Enwerem could not disclose the extent of damage done to the facility or the group that carried out the attack.

The spokesman for SPDC said “the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), Mr Precious Okolobo, 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.

“We are investigating the reported incident at Awara’’, he said.

A source in Awarra community told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the incident occurred at about 5.30a.m.

He said the explosion created a huge flame at the site and could not confirm if there was loss of life.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.