In Bayelsa, police arrest and parade notorious pipeline vandals

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

The Bayelsa State Police Command arrested and paraded five notorious pipeline vandals who allegedly specialized in breaking and damaging crude oil pipelines for illegal oil bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region.

After acting on credible intelligence, operatives from the state command’s Anti-kidnapping unit apprehended the suspected vandals.

Asinim Butswat, the command’s spokesman, said during the parade of the five suspects at the command’s headquarters that the arrest was one of the command’s successes in the fight against pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering, and economic sabotage in the state.

Pipeline vandals blew up a Trunkline carrying crude oil from Omoku to Brass Terminal at Etiama, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, on July 30, 2022.

On 11 August 2022, the same vandals used an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) to blow up a crude oil delivery pipeline at Obama Tekere River. This line also transports crude oil to the Brass Terminal.

“Worried by these attacks, Bayelsa State Command Commissioner of Police CP Ben Nebolisa Okolo charged the command’s tactical teams to step up efforts to apprehend the perpetrators,” he said.

“As a result, on August 6, 2022, at approximately 1145 hours, operatives of the Anti-kidnapping unit arrested one Kelvin Sutomwa Martin, aka ‘Lugard,’ at Agbura, Yenagoa, acting on credible intelligence.”

“The suspect has been on the command’s wanted list for a variety of offenses including kidnapping, sea piracy, and pipeline vandalism.”

Butswat revealed that during interrogation, the suspect mentioned his cohorts, who live in the state’s Nembe Ogbolomabiri Local Government Area.

“On August 12, 2022, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit, in collaboration with youths working for Labrador Security outfit, arrested one Ebiebere Paul, Christian Ayibatariworio, Owori Clarkson Paul, and Beregha Kingsley, aka kalaboy, after a fierce gun battle at their hideout in Nembe Ogbolomabiri and Nembe Creek.”

“All of the suspects have admitted to being involved in the recent attack on a crude oil delivery pipeline at Obama Tekere River and a trunkline at Etiama and Nembe Local Government Areas.”

“To protect critical national infrastructure, the Bayelsa State Police Command will continue to collaborate and synergize with other sister security agencies, community youths, and relevant stakeholders.”

“At the conclusion of the investigation, the suspects will be charged in court.”

“Recently, the Bayelsa State Police Command has been confronted with reports of pipeline vandalism, sea piracy, and illegal oil bunkering activities.” These crimes have had a negative impact on our environment, particularly marine life, as well as the overall economy of the country, according to Butswat.