Why Bunkering Thrive In Nigeria

For the umpteenth time, the Ije Ododo pipeline was recently up in flames, and the fire lasted not less than five days; thus raising salient questions such as; will vandals ever stop their visit to pipelines? Will there be an end to bunkering activities in Nigeria?

Pipeline explosion 

According to residents who spoke with our reporter, the thick smoke emanating from the fire at Ije Ododo, which painted the sky black reminded them of similar fire disasters happening there regularly.

Before residents noticed the latest fire incident, social media network was awashed  with stories of fire ravaging the Ije Ododo pipeline with claims that uncountable scores of people died from the fire outbreak.

At the scene of the fire, it was discovered that the nearest building to the fire was over 200 metres while the burning occurred deep into the swamp, about 100 metres to the security post.
The only security personnel around the post, a dark, tall slim built man said he could not make any comment on the fire incident because his boss was not available.


He reacted: “I cannot tell you whether people died or not only my ‘oga’ can talk on that. I cannot comment on the fire or answer any questions you will like to ask him”.

Residents who commented expressed the fear that the raging fire does last several days or weeks as was the case in the past. Another fear they nursed was that after the fire might have been subdued, Ije Ododo residents might remain in darkness for the rest of the year.

They claimed that in the past, Power Holding officials could claim electric poles or cables have been damaged under this guise, and residents would be mandated to raise money to repair whatever was damaged.

The traditional ruler, baale of Ije Ododo, Alhaji Tajudeen Suberu Ododo in his comment, reasoned that the fire was usually proceeded with vandalisation by bunkerers.

He alleged that officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), could not claim ignorance of the vandals activities, since only insiders could access the pipeline operations.