Panic in Army barracks as fire razes NNPC oil pipeline

By  Emma Amaize
WARRI—THERE was pandemonium at David Ejoor Army Barracks, Effurun, near Warri, and environs in Delta State, Sunday morning, as a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC oil pipeline, located within the Area of Responsibility, AoR, of the military formation, was razed by fire.

The fire came as a surprise to many residents because the pipeline is located behind the military settlement, and designated a no-go-area.

Delta State police spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, confirmed the pipeline fire to Vanguard, but said he did not have details of the cause.

As at 4.00 pm, yesterday, when our reporter left the scene, fire was still burning, but fire fighters from the Nigeria Gas Company, NGC, have managed to bring it under control. The fire fighters had to break open part of the wall of the barracks to put out the fire.

Panic-stricken soldiers who thought that the fire might spread, cordoned off the Effurun roundabout side of the military barracks and harassed commuters and motor cyclists, some of who were ordered to do frog jump for driving or riding near the burning pipeline.

Men of the Anti-Bomb Disposal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force were also seen at the scene.