Another Pipeline Explosion Destroys Farmlands In Oyo

• Africcon News
  Africcon Report: Another Pipeline Explosion Destroys Farmlands In Oyo
  Africcon New Media – News
  
  From: Africcon Media – Nigeria
  
  Cover by Africcon Media - Another Pipeline Explosion Destroys Farmlands In Oyo
  
  For the second time in less than two weeks, activities of pipeline vandals on Saturday night, led to heavy explosion at Alapata community area in Ido Local government Area of Oyo State, as farmland and produce worth several millions of naira were destroyed.
  
  When Africcon Media visited the community along Apete-Akufo road on Sunday, the Valve Pit was still burning while thick smoke covered the air.
  
  Men of the anti-vandalism squad of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Police, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) team and State Security Service (SSS) were seen at the scene of the explosion.
  
  It was learnt that the heavy bang which led to scampering for safety among residents was caused by the activities of vandals whose activities forced petroleum products out of the Valve Pit flowing into the stream and spreading into adjourning areas, including farms.
  
  An eyewitness disclosed that the explosion which occurred on Saturday night did not claim any lives but destroyed some portions of farmlands
  
  The eye witness added that the scooping hose was found burnt at the Valve Pit and was reported to have been passed into a location where vandals’ conveying truck was located.
  
  A farmer, Alhaji Fatai Ayilara, told newsmen that the security operatives had been put on alert when some strange movements were noticed around the pit on Wednesday.
  
  “We suspected some strange movements around this area since Wednesday and we informed the security agencies. About eight of them came around and we went round together.
  
  “On Friday when I closed from work, I observed that they have tampered with the Valve Pit. I went round and realised that the padlock was intact. There was no damage to the iron there too. I thought that foot prints I saw along the bush path were those of security people.
  
  “Then on Saturday morning around 10.00am I observed massive noise from the Pit hole. I went to inform some members of the community to call the attention of security people to it. However, before we got back, fuel had already started gushing out and flowing into farmlands, stream and adjourning areas, he said.
  
  The Chairman of the Ido Local Government Area, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela called on the NNPC to use available resources to fund a joint security patrol of pipeline in the local government
  
  Olowofela who spoke with newsmen at the scene of the explosion fingered an insider among the vandals.
  
  He then charged the National Assembly to set aside special fund for communities where pipeline vandalism takes place as reparation for ecological destruction.