Buhari has sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives in the Abia pipeline explosion.
The pipeline explosion which occurred on Friday, October 12, 2018, in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia state, claimed many lives.
According to REPORTS, Buhari blamed the explosion on vandals who were scooping petroleum products.
Buhari also called on host communities to work with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to stop pipeline vandalism.
The statement said “Despite repeated warnings, these unscrupulous people have vandalised that particular pipeline 684 times in the last six months alone. Each time the pipeline is repaired, they resume their activities, even collaborating with security agents, who are reported to have set up toll gates collecting fees from the vandals.
“A fight broke out as a heist was going on and there was shooting, which is believed to have ignited Friday morning’s explosion, during which three security personnel also lost their lives.
“President Buhari urges communities and state governments that host oil pipelines to be more vigilant and rise to combat the challenge posed by pipeline vandalism.
“The Enugu depot of the NNPC has been repaired and ready to function, but remains idle today because of the vandals.”
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