Written by
Ishioma Appiah-Yeboah
The Nigerian Navy has scored another major victory in its ongoing crackdown on oil theft and economic sabotage, intercepting suspected vandalised crude oil pipeline sections and arresting two suspected members of a pipeline vandalism syndicate in Imo State.
The intelligence-driven operation, carried out by personnel of Naval Base (NB) Oguta, led to the interception of a Mercedes truck transporting 10 sections of crude oil pipeline allegedly removed from the Addax Petroleum pipeline network along the Osu–Obodo Road corridor in Oguta Local Government Area.
According to the Nigerian Navy, one of the suspects was arrested while escorting the truck conveying the stolen pipeline sections. A second suspect, believed to be part of the criminal syndicate, was apprehended during follow-up operations.
Security operatives said efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the network who remain at large.
The Navy said the swift operation prevented the syndicate from evacuating the vandalised pipeline materials, protecting critical oil infrastructure and preserving key evidence for ongoing investigations.
The successful operation is the latest in a series of intelligence-led offensives by the Nigerian Navy aimed at dismantling criminal networks involved in pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas assets, the Navy said it would continue to collaborate with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to sustain pressure on criminal elements, protect critical national infrastructure and strengthen internal security in support of the country’s economic stability.