By Ephraim Emmanuel
Residents of Odau community in Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State have fled their homes following a suspected militant attack on the Trans-Niger Pipeline operated by Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC.
The attack, which occurred on the night of Monday, June 15, 2026, involved the use of dynamite on the gas pipeline. The explosion triggered a massive gas leak that released thick smoke across the community, causing severe breathing difficulties and forcing panic-driven displacement.
A community source, identified as Joseph, told our correspondent that hours of gunfire and explosions sent residents running into surrounding bushes and neighboring communities. “The shooting started around 9 p.m. on Monday. The shooting was so intense and lasted several hours that some people ran into the bushes for safety.
The attackers later used dynamite to hit the pipeline belonging to Shell, which burst into flames. It is a gas pipeline and the gas spread through the community that made people run away because people couldn’t breathe.
We were suffocating,” he said.Joseph said the situation has now turned into a humanitarian crisis, with residents stranded and lacking food. “As I speak with you, people are starving.
Some people are still in the bushes, while some others ran into neighbouring communities. No food to eat and we are starving,” he added.
He also revealed that the Community Development Committee chairman and one other person were arrested after leading Agip personnel to the attack site to answer questions.Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, PINL, the firm handling pipeline surveillance, had earlier reported the attack in Zone 8 of the area on June 15.
Addressing stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Thursday, PINL’s General Manager, Community and Stakeholder Relations, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, said the incident had been escalated to security authorities. He warned that attacks on critical infrastructure cause environmental pollution, ecosystem degradation, and threaten the livelihoods of host communities dependent on farming and fishing.“We are confident that the security agencies will take appropriate measures to apprehend those responsible and prevent any recurrence,” Mezeh stated, calling for vigilance from community leaders, youths, contractors, and security agencies.Odau residents are now appealing to NAOC and government agencies for urgent relief so they can return home safely.
