The Nigerian Navy has intercepted suspected vandalised crude oil pipeline sections and arrested two suspected members of a pipeline vandalism syndicate in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo.
This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt. Abiodun Folorunsho on Thursday in Abuja.
Folorunsho said that the intelligence-led operation conducted by personnel of Naval Base (NB) OGUTA, resulted in the arrest of two suspects believed to be linked to the criminal network responsible for the vandalism.
He also that the operation led 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.
“One of the suspects was apprehended while escorting the consignment, while another suspected member of the syndicate was subsequently arrested during follow-on operations,” he said.
The director of naval information said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the network who were still at large.
According to him, 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.
He added that the operation underscored the navy’s sustained commitment to protecting Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas infrastructure through intelligence-driven operations.
“These operation aimed to disrupt criminal networks engaged in pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and other acts of economic sabotage,” he said.
The naval spokesperson reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to 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.
