Metro

Police Arrest Five Suspected Pipeline Vandals In Bayelsa

Published

3 years ago

August 17, 2022

The Bayelsa State Police Command, on Tuesday paraded five suspects arrested by its operatives for alleged crude oil pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering and economic sabotage.

The command’s spokesman, Asinim Butswat, who briefed journalists on their arrests, said the suspects were allegedly responsible for two recent incidents of pipeline vandalism in the Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

He gave the identities of the suspects as Sutomwa Martins, Ebiebere Paul, Christian Ayibatariworio, Owori Clarkson and Beregha Kingsley alias Kalaboy.

Butswat said, “You may recall that on 30th July 2022 at about 0200 hours, pipeline vandals blew up a Trunk line carrying crude oil from Omoku to Brass Terminal at Etiama, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

“In a related attack, on 11th August 2022 at about 0100 hours, the same vandals with the aid of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), blew up a crude oil delivery Pipeline at Obama Tereke River. This line also supplies crude oil to Brass Terminal.

“Worried by these attacks, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Ben Nebolisa Okolo, fdc, charged the Command’s Tactical Teams to intensify efforts to arrest the perpetrators of these dastardly acts.”

According to him, the nabbing of Martins on August 6 at Agbura near Yenagoa, who had been on the wanted list of the command “for various offences such as kidnapping, sea piracy and pipeline vandalism”, led to the apprehension of the four others in a follow-up operation on August 12.

He said that the command’s operatives in collaboration with youths working for a private security outfit arrested the four others “after a fierce gun battle at their hideout in Nembe-Bassambiri.”

Butswat further said, “All the suspects have confessed to their involvement in the recent attacks on a crude oil delivery pipeline at Obama Tereke River and Trunk Line at Etiama, Nembe Local Government Area.”

He said the police command would continue to collaborate with other security agencies, community youths and relevant stakeholders to protect critical national infrastructure.

He added that the command would conclude its investigation soon and all the suspects would face charges.

Metro

Police Impound Vehicle With 387 Blocks Of Cannabis In Bauchi

Published

21 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi state Police Command says it has impounded a vehicle with nothing less than 387 blocks of suspected cannabis sativa after involving in an auto crash in the state.

Sani Omolori-Aliyu, the Commissioner of Police in the state, disclosed this on Friday while handing over the exhibits to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bauchi state Command.

According to him, the car and one other had a head-on collision in Wom village of Toro Local Government Area of the state on October 4, 2025 at about 11:30am.

“Initial reports from eyewitnesses and preliminary investigations indicate that the first vehicle, a white Toyota Corolla with registration number ABC-459LF, was operated by one Ali Muhammad, a 45-year-old resident of Nabardo Village.

“He was transporting the District Head of Nabardo, Suleiman Suleiman, aged 65, along with his family members as they travelled from Bauchi Metropolis to Nabardo Village.

“The second vehicle, another white Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA-155GW, was driven by an individual yet to be identified, who was travelling from Jos, Plateau State, towards Bauchi.

“It was reported that this driver attempted to overtake other vehicles without exercising adequate caution, resulting in a head-on collision with the first vehicle,” he said.

The Commissioner further explained that the occupants of both vehicles sustained varying degrees of injuries and were transported to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for medical care.

He said that the District Head suffered a fracture in his left leg and is currently receiving treatment with other victims while some have been discharged.

Omolori-Aliyu also revealed that in the aftermath of the incident, during the search at the scene, the detectives recovered several items in the damaged vehicle which included the 387 blocks of suspected cannabis.

The Commissioner, who explained that the command was in pursuit of the unidentified driver to ensure accountability and prompt legal action, encouraged anyone with information regarding the driver’s identity to come forward and assist in the investigation.

“The police are committed to diligently pursuing leads to identify the principal suspect.

“The Bauchi State Police Command is dedicated to maintaining peace and order in our community and urges the public to remain calm and cooperative throughout this process.

“We invite anyone with information that could aid in this investigation to contact us and we assure citizens that we are resolutely focused on ensuring justice is achieved,” he said.

While receiving the exhibits, Hussaini Umar, Deputy Commandant, NDLEA, appreciated the police for the cooperation and synergy and promised to work hand in hand to ensure that the driver and the owner were found.

Metro

Fake Revenue Agents Apprehended In Aba While Defrauding Residents

Published

1 day ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

Abia State Harmonized Taskforce has apprehended four individuals impersonating as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for acts of extortion, intimidation, and illegal enforcement along the Port Harcourt Road axis of Aba and its environs.

They were nabbed on Thursday at Flyover junction around Ugwunagbo area through an operation authorized by the Aba Area Coordinator of ASHTF, Mr. Uche Wogu.

A statement issued by Miracle Chukwunenye, spokesperson of the Harmonized Task Force said that the agency received multiple complaints from market women, tricycle (Keke) operators, and traders about the unlawful activities of a group led by one Mr. Ahuama.

‎”Upon arrival, the Taskforce, in joint effort with the police, arrested Mr. Ahuama and three accomplices who were caught extorting money from unsuspecting traders and tricycle operators under the false pretense of being NURTW officials.

“Investigations revealed that the suspects had already impounded about twenty (20) tricycles earlier that morning and collected money from the owners before being intercepted,” Chukwunenye said.

‎He added that during the operation, the suspects resisted arrest and attacked Taskforce operatives and police officers, but they were eventually subdued and are now in custody.

Chukwunenye sensitized traders and transporters that Abia State operates a strict No-Cash-at-Hand revenue system, and as such, no government-authorized personnel is permitted to collect cash from citizens.