Mkpoikana Udoma Port Harcourt — Five crude oil trucks belonging to Sterling Global Oil Limited have exploded after allegedly being attacked by unknown gunmen along Ndoni Road in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State.
SweetCrude Reports gathered that the attack also left three other trucks damaged, with several persons sustaining injuries.
Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants ambushed the convoy around 2:00 am yesterday, which was transporting crude oil from a facility in Ohaji-Egbema in Imo State to Sterling Global’s storage site in Ndoni, in Rivers State.
“Gunshots were fired before the trucks were set ablaze, causing significant damage and spilling crude oil into the environment,” said an eyewitness identified as Confidence.
Narrating the incident, the General Manager of Sterling Global, Mr. A. Karam, confirmed the incident to the Local Government ONELGA Chairman, Mr. Prince Isaac Umejuru, during his visit to the scene.
“The attack occurred while our trucks were en route to offload crude at our Ndoni site. Unfortunately, unknown gunmen launched an attack, resulting in five trucks exploding and three others being damaged. Several people were injured and are receiving treatment,” he stated.
Reacting to the attack, the ONELGA Chairman, Mr Prince Isaac Umejuru, condemned the incident and assured the company of the local government’s commitment to security.
Umejuru also urged Sterling Global to beef up security around its operations, including providing escorts for trucks and staff.
“We will work with security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. My administration is committed to safeguarding lives and properties in ONELGA, and we will not tolerate any form of insecurity,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, YEAC-Nigeria has raised
environmental concerns following the crude oil spill and the incomplete combustion of the trucks.
Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Mr. Fyneface Dumnamene, condemned the attack and its environmental impact.
“This incident is unfortunate. While it may have been carried out by aggrieved youths, violence will not address their grievances. The crude spill and soot caused by the fire are harmful to the environment and local communities,” he remarked.
