Navy Arrests Three Over Bayelsa Pipeline Vandalism
The Nigerian Navy has arrested three suspects linked to the vandalism of the Oando–Ondewari pipeline at Ogboinbiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The arrests followed a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by naval personnel in collaboration with a private pipeline surveillance outfit after reports of a deliberate breach along the pipeline corridor.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, subsequent inspection confirmed that the pipeline had been vandalised, resulting in crude oil spillage and posing a threat to critical national energy infrastructure.
Folorunsho said naval personnel, acting on actionable intelligence, conducted a targeted raid on a suspected hideout at Ondewari Community in the early hours of Friday, June 12, leading to the arrest of the three suspects.
“Preliminary investigations established their involvement in the act of vandalism, while further inquiries revealed that a fourth suspect remains at large,” the statement said.
The Navy said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and conclude investigations, after which the arrested persons would be handed over to the appropriate agency for prosecution.
It added that the operation underscored the service’s commitment to protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure and denying economic saboteurs the opportunity to undermine Nigeria’s economic interests.
The Navy reaffirmed its resolve to sustain intelligence-driven operations under Operation Delta Sentinel to safeguard critical national assets, curb crude oil theft, and secure Nigeria’s maritime and energy sectors.
By TimesNG