Multiple bombings of oil pipelines in Nigeria’s southern Bayelsa State have caused thousands of barrels of oil to pollute waterways, farms and fishing grounds, residents say, the Associated Press news agency reports.

The spill was “massive – the biggest in years,” community leader Eke-Spiff Erempagamo is quoted as saying.

Oil flowed unchecked for two days from the Agip oil pipelines, fishermen said.

A spokesman for Italian parent company ENI said 16,000 barrels of oil per day were lost and the company was working on resuming production, AP reports.

Residents blamed the explosions on Thursday and Friday on militants who want a bigger share of oil revenues for the producing states.

•Photo shows oil spill.