Mkpoikana Udoma 08 June 2017, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – The Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, says it has arrested three suspected pipeline vandals responsible for vandalism of oil facilities belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company at Tedibaba-Ogboinbri-Brass pipeline in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The arrest was disclosed by Operation Delta Safe Commander, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, while briefing newsmen at the OPDS Headquarters in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
Suleiman, who disclosed that the arrest was made following a tip off by good Nigerians, appealed to members of the public to provide timely information to troops in order to get rid of what he described as “notorious criminals” in the region.
He also commended the public and members of the press for supporting OPDS in its effort to protect oil and gas infrastructure, prevent militancy, sea robbery, crude oil theft and other forms of criminality that could impact negatively on economic activity in Niger Delta region.
According to him, “Troops of Operation Delta Safe, have nabbed suspected vandals that detonated dynamites resulting to the breach of Nigerian Agip Oil Company facility located at Tedibaba-Ogboinbri-Brass pipeline in the outskirt of Imgbiba Community of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
“Following the incident, troops acted on a tip off spotted suspected hideout at a fishing camp along Isonogbene where three suspects namely; Mr Ayebemi Dressman, Mr Inimotimi Abule and Mr Epemege Frank, were arrested in connection with the vandalism at Peremabiri Community of Bayelsa State.”
Rear Admiral Suleiman who was represented by OPDS Chief of Staff, Colonel Danjuma Abdullahi, also disclosed that troops also arrested two suspects who were responsible for the theft of a wellhead device belonging to the another oil company at Ekeremor, Bayelsa state.
“During a Similar operations, troops deployed at Beneside location in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the State also apprehended two suspects, Mr Bibowa Anemi and Mr Ngoriduwa Gomogo, alleged to have been responsible for sabotage and theft of wellhead six actuator device, an oil wellhead tool belonging to one of the International Oil Companies.
“Their criminal action led to disruption of the operations in the oil company. The wellhead is currently under repairs.”
The JTF Commander also revealed that troops deployed at Omoku, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, engaged armed kidnappers in a gun duel and rescued one kidnapped victim.
“In another development, troops deployed at Omuku Forest in Rivers State acting on a tip off swiftly responded and engaged some suspected armed kidnappers in a gun duel leading to rescue of the kidnapped victim and death of two of the kidnappers.
“The rescued victim is currently receiving treatment in a medical facility in Port Harcourt.
“Troops raided a suspected pirate’s hideout at Elema, Rivers State; although no arrest was made during the raid, several items were recovered. The items include; 23 rounds of 7.62mm Ball Special ammunition, one generating set and 40 Horse Power Suzuki speed boat engine amongst others,” he said.
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