Niger Delta Avengers have blown a section of the Escravos gas trunkline behind salvation city, near Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South West local government area of Delta state.

A source told us that the incident happened in the early hours of Friday.

The source described the attack as a “big blow” to gas production in the country, revealing that the facility belongs to phase two of the Escravos-Lagos gas pipeline owned by the Nigerian Gas Company Limited (NGC).

Efforts made to confirm the development from Isa Ado, spokesman of operation Pulio Shield, the joint task force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, did not yield any result, as he refused to answer calls on his mobile telephone.

Escravos Lagos pipeline recorded an attack in February, resulting in the shortage of 3,132 megawatts (Mw) of electricity, and difficulties for operators of power generation plants.

It also affected the gas supply through the gas pipeline from Olero Creek.

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), a new militant group, has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks in the region.

The group said it was out to cripple the nation’s economy, vowing to defeat the military.

Last week, the avengers gave all oil companies operating in the region a two-week ultimatum to shut down.