Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Rivers State Police Command says it has thwarted a major attempt to bomb an oil pipeline in Ikwerre Local Government Area, leading to the deaths of the vandals as they attempted to detonate explosives.
According to the police, this was part of an intensified security operation across the state to combat vandalism, kidnapping, and illegal oil refining.
Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, highlighting the recent successes of joint security operations involving the Nigerian Army, other sister agencies, and the police.
“Over the past week, our security agencies have continued to dismantle criminal networks operating in the state. On March 16, we foiled an attempt to vandalize an oil pipeline at Allu-Rumuekpe in Ikwerre LGA. The vandals, in a desperate attempt to detonate the pipeline, lost their lives due to the quick response of our security forces.
“In another breakthrough, security forces raided a notorious kidnappers’ den along Omoku Road in Ahoada East LGA on March 21 2025 at about 07:10 hours. The operation led to the arrest of eight male suspects and the rescue of six victims.
“Our men stormed the hideout of these criminals and successfully rescued six hostages. The suspects were caught with a cache of weapons, including two English-made pump-action guns, two locally made pistols, and four single-barrel guns with assorted rounds of ammunition and cartridges.
“Additional items recovered included three Q-Link motorcycles, communication devices, and other materials used for their operations,” the Police Commissioner revealed.
Adepoju said security forces also arrested two suspects in Onelga LGA on March 19 2025 for being in possession of explosives, confirming that “the suspects were found with four dynamites, four switches, detonating pods, and other improvised explosive device enablers.”
He stressed that the arrests were part of proactive measures to prevent acts of sabotage that could have grave consequences for public safety and the state’s economy.
“Security operatives also intensified their crackdown on illegal oil refining activities, destroying 30 illegal refining sites, 55 ovens, 20 reservoirs, and 50 dugout pits.
“Our operatives seized over 100,000 liters of stolen crude oil and about 10,000 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil. All these were handled in accordance with existing regulations to curb the economic and environmental damage caused by these criminal activities,” CP Adepoju stated.
The Rivers State Police Command has issued a seven-day ultimatum for vehicle owners to comply with registration requirements. A targeted operation will commence to impound all unregistered vehicles, as well as those with improperly affixed or altered plate numbers.
“Criminals often use unregistered and improperly plated vehicles to evade security checks. To disrupt their operations, we have increased security patrols, and in seven days, we will begin strict enforcement,” CP Adepoju warned.
He urged vehicle owners to take advantage of the grace period to comply with registration laws, emphasizing that those in violation risk having their vehicles seized, and called on residents of Rivers State to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police and other security agencies.
“The safety and stability of our environment are paramount to fostering a thriving business climate, which in turn will contribute to the overall economic growth of the state and the nation at large,” he said.
He also advised parents and guardians to educate their children about the dangers of engaging in criminal activities, stating that security agencies will remain relentless in their efforts to maintain peace and order in the state.
“We will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that Rivers State remains safe. I urge the good people of the state to cooperate with security agencies as we work toward a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous Rivers State,” CP Adepoju concluded.
