The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two suspected pipeline vandals in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, in a joint operation aimed at tackling attacks on oil infrastructure and other critical national assets.
The suspects were apprehended during an operation conducted by the NSCDC and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Pipeline Surveillance and Security.
According to the NSCDC, the suspects were arrested at a cattle market in Idumabor, Ekpoma, following intelligence reports linking them to the vandalism of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) oil pipelines and other critical infrastructure.
The suspects were identified as Kadiri Isah, 55, and Mustapha Naphiyu, 27.
The corps said the pair had been under surveillance by the Edo State Command before they were tracked and arrested.
It added that preliminary investigations had yielded useful information regarding the suspects’ alleged involvement in pipeline vandalism.
The NSCDC said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the suspected syndicate and dismantle the wider network allegedly involved in pipeline vandalism across the state.
Reaffirming its commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, the Edo State Command, led by Commandant Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, warned individuals engaged in pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage to desist.
The Command said it would continue to deploy intelligence gathering, surveillance and enforcement measures to safeguard critical infrastructure across Edo State.
Spokesman for the Edo State Command, CSC Ogbebor Efosa, said the corps would sustain collaboration with the Edo State Government and other security agencies to maintain peace, protect public infrastructure and support sustainable development in the state.