On Wednesday, the Nigerian Navy in Delta State conducted a public display of two individuals apprehended for suspected pipeline vandalism in the Asugbo Creek within the jurisdiction of Warri South Local Government Area of the State.
Commodore Chindo Yahaya, Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta, who was represented by Navy Captain Solomon Paul, the Executive Officer of NNS Delta, informed the press that these two suspects were apprehended in the Delta Creek last Sunday.
He explained that the suspects were taken into custody at approximately 2:35 pm when a naval patrol team, in collaboration with the personnel from a private surveillance company called Ocean Marine Solution, detected a vandalized pipeline that was leaking.
Further investigations revealed an illicit connection to the damaged pipeline. As a result, the patrol team conducted a thorough search of the vicinity and subsequently intercepted three individuals traveling in a canoe approximately 20 meters away from the damaged pipeline.
The Navy said, “Even though the two suspects claimed to be fishermen, no fishing gears were found with them and no fishing nets or hooks were observed within the immediate environment.”
The Navy further stated that the culprits “were unable to provide a convincing explanation as to the reason for their attempted escape and whereabouts of the third person who escaped”.
The two suspects were thereafter handed over to the Divisional Officer, Warri South Division of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Chief Superintendent of Corps Victor Igbinoba, “for further investigation and necessary prosecution”.
