Residents of the Odau community in the Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State have reportedly abandoned their homes following a gas leak suspected to have originated from the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), operated by NAOC.

The leak, which reportedly spread across the community, allegedly caused breathing difficulties and forced many residents to flee the area for safety.

The Nation gathered that the incident followed a series of attacks by suspected hoodlums on facilities belonging to Shell and NAOC between June 15 and June 18, resulting in a fire outbreak and a gas leak.

A community source, identified simply as Joseph, told journalists in Port Harcourt that the attacks began on Monday night when residents heard sustained gunfire from the direction of the pipeline.

According to him, the shooting started around 9:00 p.m. and lasted for several hours, creating panic among residents.

“The shooting started around 9:00 p.m. on Monday when some people were yet to eat their dinner. The shooting was so intense and lasted several hours that some people ran into the bushes for safety,” he said.

Joseph alleged that the attackers later used explosives to damage a Shell pipeline, triggering a fire outbreak that further heightened fears in the community.

The development has raised fresh concerns about the security of oil and gas infrastructure in the area and the safety of residents living around critical energy facilities.

Speaking further, the source said, “The fire lasted throughout Tuesday. We thought that the attackers had left. But on Wednesday night around 9:00 pm again, they resumed shooting. Security agencies were deployed to the scene, yet the shooting lasted until 4:00 am on Thursday, when they also used dynamite to hit the Agip pipeline.

“It is a gas pipeline, and the gas spread through the community, which made people run away from the community because people couldn’t breathe. We were suffocating.

“As I speak with you, people are starving. Some people are still in the bushes, while others have run into neighbouring communities. No food to eat, and we are starving,” he said.

He also revealed that the Community Development Committee (CDC) chairman and one other person were arrested after they led Agip personnel to the site.

“You know, as a community leader, when he (the CDC chairman) led the Agip personnel to the site, he was asked some questions, which he tried to answer, so they handcuffed him and one other person and said they should get to their office to offer more explanation,” he stated.

Joseph called on the company and relevant agencies to come to the community’s aid so they could return to their homes. “We are a farming and fishing community. We are calling on the relevant agencies and the company to come to our aid so that we can go back to our community,” he pleaded.

Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), an indigenous pipeline security firm, hinted at attacks on the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP), Zone 8, by armed individuals at the security firm’s last stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Friday, but failed to provide details on the incident.

Giving the hint, PINL said, “An unfortunate incident has been promptly escalated to the relevant security authorities for urgent intervention and necessary action. We are confident that the security agencies will take appropriate measures to apprehend those responsible and prevent any recurrence.

“We wish to emphasise that attacks on critical national infrastructure have far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate damage caused. Such acts pose serious environmental risks, including pollution and ecosystem degradation, while also threatening the livelihoods of host communities whose economic activities depend on a safe and healthy environment.”

They called on all stakeholders, including community leaders, youth, contractors, surveillance personnel, and security agencies, to remain vigilant and continue working together to protect these vital national assets.

“The security of our pipelines is a collective responsibility, and their protection is essential for sustainable development, environmental preservation, and the economic well-being of our communities and the nation at large,” they said. (The Nation)