There is palpable tension in community in Bayelsa State following a gas pipeline leak on a field operated by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company in the area.
Eye-witnesses say the leakage, now ongoing for over 24 hours, has become a source of concern to the residents as some have begun relocating from the affected environment.
The leaked pipeline belonging to Agip Petroleum is located a few meters away from the Bayelsa Palm road in Azikoro Town.
Officers of the Nigerian Police force are already on the ground to cordon off the area from motorists plying the affected route.
Along with them were the men of the Nigerian Bomb Squad and the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency.
Residents and eyewitnesses are already apprehensive of the damaging effect on the population if left unchecked and contained immediately.
While investigations are still ongoing, an official from the Ministry of Environment believes current evidence points towards a case of sabotage.
Although no official statement has been made by6 the company so far, Some Agip officials carrying out a preliminary inspection of the leaked pipeline declined to comment on the issue.