Navy arrests suspected pipeline vandals in Imo

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has recorded another operational success in its campaign against economic sabotage with the interception of suspected vandalised crude oil pipeline sections and the arrest of suspected members of a pipeline vandalism syndicate in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the spokesperson of the service, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.

It explained that the intelligence-led operation was conducted by personnel of Naval Base (NB) Oguta, leading to the interception of a Mercedes truck conveying 10 sections of crude oil pipeline suspected to have been illegally removed from the Addax Petroleum pipeline network along the Osu–Obodo Road corridor.

The statement added that the operation further led to the arrest of two suspects believed to be linked to the criminal network responsible for the vandalism.

According to it, one of the suspects was apprehended while escorting the consignment, while another suspected member of the syndicate was subsequently arrested during follow-up operations. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the network who remain at large.

It pointed out that the timely interception denied the criminal syndicate the opportunity to evacuate the vandalised pipeline materials, thereby preventing further damage to critical national infrastructure and preserving evidence crucial to ongoing investigations.

It stated that the operation underscored the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to protecting Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas infrastructure through intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting criminal networks engaged in pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and other acts of economic sabotage in the region.

It reaffirmed that the Nigerian Navy remains resolute in working with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to sustain pressure on criminal elements, protect critical national assets and enhance internal security in support of national economic stability.