Navy Foils Pipeline Vandalism, Arrests Two Suspects in Imo

The Nigerian Navy has recorded another breakthrough in its fight against economic sabotage with the interception of suspected vandalised crude oil pipeline sections and the arrest of two suspected members of a pipeline vandalism syndicate in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The operation, carried out by personnel of Naval Base (NB) Oguta, was based on credible intelligence and led to the interception of a Mercedes truck conveying 10 sections of crude oil pipeline allegedly removed from the Addax Petroleum pipeline network along the Osu Obodo Road corridor.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho.

According to the statement, one suspect was arrested while escorting the truck loaded with the pipeline sections, while another suspected member of the syndicate was apprehended during follow-up operations.

The Navy added that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest other members of the criminal network who remain at large.

It noted that the swift intervention prevented the syndicate from evacuating the vandalised pipeline materials, thereby averting further damage to critical national infrastructure and preserving vital evidence for ongoing investigations.

The Navy described the operation as another demonstration of its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria's strategic oil and gas infrastructure through intelligence-driven operations targeted at dismantling criminal networks involved in pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage.

Reaffirming its resolve, the Nigerian Navy said it would continue to collaborate with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to sustain pressure on criminal elements, protect critical national assets and strengthen internal security in support of Nigeria's economic stability.