The Nigerian Navy in Delta State made a significant move on Wednesday by parading two individuals suspected of pipeline vandalism. The suspects were apprehended at Asugbo Creek in Warri South Local Government Area of the state.
Commodore Chindo Yahaya, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, was represented by Navy Captain Solomon Paul, the Executive Officer of NNS Delta, during the parade. According to the Navy, the two suspects were arrested on Sunday at 2:35 pm by a naval patrol team working in collaboration with staff from a private surveillance firm, Ocean Marine Solution. The arrest occurred after the patrol team discovered a vandalized and leaking pipeline in the Delta Creek.
Further investigation revealed an illegal connection to the pipeline. As a result, the team conducted a search of the surrounding area and intercepted three individuals in a canoe located approximately 20 meters away from the vandalized pipeline. When the operatives approached, the three individuals attempted to flee, but two of them were apprehended, while the third managed to escape.
Upon inspection, the Navy noted that the two arrested suspects claimed to be fishermen, but they were found without fishing gear, nets, or hooks in their immediate vicinity. Their inability to provide a satisfactory explanation for their attempted escape and the whereabouts of the third person who escaped led to the decision to conduct a thorough investigation to determine responsibility for the illegal pipeline connection. Legal action will be taken accordingly.
The two suspects were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Officer of the Warri South Division of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Chief Superintendent of Corps Victor Igbinoba, for further investigation and prosecution.
In response to this development, the Commander of NNS Delta emphasized that all individuals involved in crude oil theft and other criminal activities in the Delta creeks would be dealt with firmly. The Navy remains committed to eradicating oil theft and pipeline vandalism in its area of operations, aligning with the Chief of the Naval Staff Strategic Directive 2023 – 6.