Nigerian oil officials are to start digging up an oil pipeline found at a militant's abandoned hideout to see if it runs to a refinery about 2km away.
The army claims the pipeline was used by Ateke Tom, the head of the Niger Delta Vigilantes, to steal oil.
A BBC reporter says the pipeline, found earlier this week, is visible for about 500m before disappearing underground.
Mr Tom is accused of being behind much of the lawless money-making schemes causing havoc in the oil-rich region.
He is wanted by the authorities for a string of bank robberies, incidents of piracy, stealing crude oil and kidnappings.
His present whereabouts is unclear, but contacted by the BBC by phone Mr Tom denied laying the pipeline to his former base near Okochiri about 20km-30km from the regional capital, Port Harcourt.
Instability and violence in the Niger Delta region over the past few years have led to a significant drop in Nigeria's oil exports.
Ateke Tom, the head of the Niger Delta Vigilantes, has been stealing oil from a pipeline that runs near his former hideout. His group is the major cause of violence and terrorism in the Niger Delta region. He is wanted for stealing oil, kidnapping, and several bank robberies. His present whereabouts are unknown, but the government is searching for him. Capturing Ateke Tom for good could help put an end to some of the unrest in the Niger Delta region for good.
No comments:
Post a Comment