Police in Bayelsa State have arrested five suspected pipleline vandals in Bayelsa State who allegedly blew up a trunkline carrying crude oil from Omoku to Brass Terminal at Etiama, Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were said to have also blown up a crude delivery pipeline at Obama Tekere River, which supplies crude oil to Brass terminal, with an improvised explosive device (IED) on August 11, a few weeks after the previous attack.

Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, told newsmen on Tuesday that all the suspects had confessed to their involvement in the recent attack on a crude oil delivery pipeline at Obama Tekere River and a trunkline at Etiama.

He said the suspects would be arraigned at the conclusion of the investigation.

He said, “In recent times, the Bayelsa State Police Command was confronted with reported cases of pipeline vandalism, sea piracy and illegal oil bunkering activities. These crimes have negatively impacted our environment, most especially the marine life and the economy of the country at large.

“Recall that on 30th July, 2022 at 0200 hours, pipeline vandals blew up a trunkline carrying crude oil from Omoku to Brass Terminal at Etiama, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

“In a related attacke on 11 August, 2022, at about 0100 hours, the same vandals with the aid of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blew up a crude oil delivery pipeline at Obama Tekere River. This line also supplies crude oil to Brass Terminal.

“Consequently, on 6th August, 2022 at about 1145 hours, acting on credible intelligence, the operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit arrested one Kelvin Sutomwa Martin ‘m’ 37 years aka Lugard at Agbura, Yenagoa. The suspect has been on the wanted list of the command for various offences such as: kidnapping, sea piracy and pipeline vandalism. Upon interrogation the suspect mentioned his cohorts who are residents of Nembe Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area.

“In a follow-up operation on 12 August, 2022, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit in collaboration with youths working for Labrador Security outfit arrested one Ebiebere Paul ‘m’ 42 years, Christian Ayibatariworio ‘m’ 43 years, Owori Clarkson Paul ‘m’ 45 years and Beregha Kingsley ‘m’ 32 years, aka Kalaboy, after a fierce gun battle at their hideout in Nembe Bassambiri and Nembe Creek.

“All the suspects have confessed to their involvement in the recent attacked on a Crude oil delivery pipeline at Obama Tekere River and a Trunkline at Etiama, Nembe Local Government Areas, and they will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.” (Daily Trust)

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