National broadcaster Télé Sahel reported on Friday, June 21, 2024, that “malicious individuals sabotaged part of the pipeline in the Tesker department.” The attack on the 1,950-kilometer crude oil pipeline between the Agadem oil field in eastern Niger and Benin’s Port Sèmè was carried out on the night of June 16 and 17 by the Patriotic Liberation Front (FLP). Formed in August 2023, the FLP demands the release of President Mohamed Bazoum, whose regime was toppled by a military coup on July 26, 2024. As reported by Al Mayadeen, the FLP said on Monday that it had damaged the pipeline to send a message to the generals of the Nigerien military junta. As stated in Ahram Online, FLP leader Mahamoud Sallah asked the Chinese company WAPCO and state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation, which run the pipeline, to stop operations on the pipeline and to cancel the $400 million loan it gave to the Nigerien junta. Sallah added, “Failing this, all oil installations will be paralyzed in the next few operations.” According to Sputnik Africa, Colonel Issoufou Llabo, the governor of Zinder Region where the attack occurred, stated, “We have already gathered information and clues about the alleged perpetrators. All those who contributed will be arrested and judged in accordance with their terrorist act.” The damaged pipeline leaked 370 meters into the bush. On June 12, six Nigerien soldiers were killed by unidentified assailants while guarding the pipeline.
