Operatives of the Nigeria Police and their counterparts in the Nigeria Army, Navy, Air Force and other security agencies said on Tuesday they foiled an attempt to blow up another crude oil pipeline in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, a cache of arms has been seized by the military following the foiling of the plan while eight suspects have been arrested. Also, six people held by the arrested suspects were set free.
A joint security force set up following the March 18 emergency rule declaration thwarted attempts by miscreants to attack the oil facility.
The Police, which spoke on behalf of other security agencies, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, among others, also vowed to protect all critical infrastructure of government and ensure total security of lives and property of people of the state amid emergency rule.
Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju, told journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital that their joint operations had been instrumental to the sustenance of peace in the State.
According to Adepoju: “I extend our profound commendation to the joint patrol operations conducted by the Police, the armed forces, and other sister agencies which have diligently executed their mandate to support the objective of the state of emergency in Rivers State.
‘’Our collective effort has been instrumental in sustaining the peace and calm currently enjoyed in our dear state.
“It is imperative to emphasize that this phase of security activities is a necessary measure to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order. The decision to deploy a proactive policing strategy was informed by an emerging atmosphere that could have been exploited by troublemakers to plunge the state into insecurity and chaos.
‘’I assure the good people of Rivers State that this is a temporary phase, and in due time, we will all witness a more peaceful and secured state.
“Furthermore, I must stress the critical importance of securing critical national assets and infrastructure within Rivers State. These assets are vital, not only to the people of Rivers State but also to the entire nation.
“Consequently, it is the collective responsibility of all well-meaning residents of the state to ensure their protection, particularly against oil thieves, vandals, kidnappers, cultists and other criminals.”
Adepoju added that the security team foiled several attempts by criminals to take advantage of developments in the State to vandalise critical assets of government, adding that one suspect died while attempting to detonate an explosive on the pipeline.
He said: “Over the past week, the joint efforts of the security agencies in Rivers State have, among other successes, thwarted attempts by miscreants to vandalise pipelines which led to the death of the vandal in the process of trying to detonate a pipeline at Aluu- Rumuekpe in Ikwerre LGA but for the quick intervention of security agents.
“In other cases of anti-criminal activities in the state, men of the security forces stormed the hideout of kidnappers along Omoku Road in Ahoada East LGA on March 21, 2025, at about 0710 hours where eight male suspects were arrested, and six male victims rescued.
‘’Items recovered during the arrest include two English-made pump action guns, two locally made pistols, four locally-made single barrel guns with assorted rounds and catridges, three Q-link motorcycles, communication equipment, among others.
“Another case of criminality was voided in Onelga LGA on March 19, 2025, when two suspects were arrested with four dynamites, four switches and detonating pods and other IED enablers.
“This is in addition to the destruction of 30 illegal refining sites, 55 ovens, 20 reservoirs, 50 dug-out pits, 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil and about 10,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, which were handled in line with extant regulations.”
The CP urged members of the public to provide the Police and other security agencies with credible intelligence regarding individuals or groups and their conspirators engaging in vandalism.