The Nigerian government on Friday confirmed an attack on a crude pipeline operated by the Nigerian Agip Oil Company in its oil-rich southern state of Bayelsa.

State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Desmond Agu said reports available to him indicated that Agip's Obi Obi-Brass crude export pipeline was vandalized in the early hours of Friday, but did not give details.

An earlier attack on Agip's crude export pipeline compelled the oil firm to shut down production of 65, 000 barrels of crude oil daily from the facility.

Militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, had in an online statement from its twitter handle, claimed responsibility for the incident.

The attack is in breach of the two-week ceasefire declared by the government to pave way for dialogue with the militants.

Agu advised aggrieved youths to shun violence and embrace peace in order to allow the Niger Delta region to attain its expected growth and development

source : xinhua