5 arrested for allegedly vandalizing oil pipelines in Edo

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested five suspects for allegedly vandalizing oil pipelines in the state. The suspects—Omoregie Osayi (39), Mathias Okhae (58), John Akheoumukhan (50), Akhabue Smart (65), and Godday Abumere (65)—were alleged to have vandalized petroleum pipelines at Uhiele community, Ekpoma, in the Esan West Local Government Area of the […]

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested five suspects for allegedly vandalizing oil pipelines in the state.

The suspects—Omoregie Osayi (39), Mathias Okhae (58), John Akheoumukhan (50), Akhabue Smart (65), and Godday Abumere (65)—were alleged to have vandalized petroleum pipelines at Uhiele community, Ekpoma, in the Esan West Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said the suspects were arrested following intelligence reports regarding the vandalism of a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) pipeline passing through the Uhiele community.

She stated that the police mobilized to the location and successfully arrested five suspects in connection with the act, while others escaped.

According to her, an excavator used to damage the pipeline was recovered from the suspects.

Ikoedem added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects who fled the scene and to recover the pipes already carted away.

She noted that the suspects will be charged to court upon the completion of the investigation.