Pipeline vandals under fire as navy launch hunt in Delta

– Nigerian navy has launched serious hunt for pipeline vandals as more criminals arrested in Delta state

– Relying on intelligence reports security operatives arrested seven people this week

Three men were detained on suspicion of pipeline vandalism in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta state on Wednesday. Earlier this week the naval operatives managed to arrest four other persons at Tebijoh community.

After establishing identities of the detaineed some of them were released. It’s still unclear whether the suspects were confined in connection with the recent activities of the militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

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Confirming the arrest, Mr Sheriff Mulade, the chairman of Kokodiagbene community said: “Joint Task Force (JYF) came about 6.30am on Wednesday and arrested three persons.

Out of the three suspects one is a student while one is a passenger who was in Tebijoh to board a boat to Warri. They left those two. They (JTF) took two 200 horsepower speed boats.”

The arrest was also confirmed by Riami Mohammed, the commander of the nigerian navy ship, who said: “We are after those vandalising our pipelines. After our last press conference, we have made more arrests.”

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However, a contradictory report from a senior military source says that some militants managed to flee the community after the invasion of Oporoza, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

While police officials believe that the detainees are linked to the Niger Delta Avengers, residents of the community say that the suspects were fishermen.

Earlier today the NDA militants have launched another attack on an oil installation in Akwa Ibom state. Another militant group the Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) had recently announced ceasefire.

The JNDLF had also threatened to launch six missiles in the Niger Delta and to close down Nigeria’s airspace. Announcing readiness to accept federal government’s proposal of talks, the group in a statement at the weekend listed its demands.

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