According to police reports, an attack has as occurred at the oil facility belonging to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) at Awarra, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo.

Andrew Enwerem, the police public relations officer in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Owerri that the police received report of the attack in the early hours of Thursday.

Mr. Enwerem could not disclose the extent of damage done to the facility or the group that carried out the attack.

Precious Okolobo, spokesman for SPDC said “the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), which runs through Awara, Imo State at the Assa-Rumuekpe line, has been shut for repairs since June 8, following a leak at Okolo launch, Bonny in Rivers State.

“We are investigating the reported incident at Awara’’, he said.

A source in Awarra community told NAN that the incident occurred at about 5.30a.m.

It said the explosion created huge flame at the site and could not confirm if there was loss of life.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.