The Nigerian Navy has intensified its crackdown on economic sabotage with the interception of suspected vandalised crude oil pipeline sections and the arrest of alleged members of a pipeline vandalism syndicate in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
The operation forms part of the Navy’s ongoing intelligence-led campaign aimed at protecting Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure from criminal activities, including pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
Confirming the development, the Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the successful operation was carried out by personnel attached to the Naval Base (NB) Oguta following actionable intelligence.
According to him, the operatives intercepted a Mercedes truck transporting several sections of crude oil pipeline believed to have been illegally removed from the Addax Petroleum pipeline network.
Folorunsho explained that the stolen pipeline materials were traced to the Osu–Obodo Road corridor in Imo State before they were intercepted by naval personnel.
“The intelligence-led operation was conducted by personnel of Naval Base (NB) Oguta, leading to the interception of a Mercedes truck conveying 10 sections of crude oil pipeline suspected to have been illegally removed from the Addax Petroleum pipeline network along the Osu–Obodo Road corridor.
“The operation further resulted in the arrest of two suspects believed to be linked to the criminal network responsible for the vandalism.
“One of the suspects was apprehended while escorting the consignment, while another suspected member of the syndicate was subsequently arrested during follow-on operations.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the network who remain at large.
“The timely interception denied the criminal syndicate the opportunity to evacuate the vandalised pipeline materials, thereby preventing further damage to critical national infrastructure and preserving evidence crucial to ongoing investigations.
“The operation underscores the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to protecting Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas infrastructure through intelligence-driven operations aimed at disrupting criminal networks engaged in pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, and other acts of economic sabotage.
“The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in working with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to sustain pressure on criminal elements, protect critical national assets, and enhance internal security in support of national economic stability.”
The Navy noted that investigations into the case are continuing, while security operatives have launched follow-up operations to identify and arrest additional members of the criminal syndicate believed to have participated in the vandalism.
The service reiterated that pipeline vandalism remains a major threat to Nigeria’s economy because it disrupts crude oil production, damages critical infrastructure and contributes to environmental degradation.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with other security agencies and stakeholders to strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence gathering and sustain operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating within the nation’s oil-producing communities.
The Nigerian Navy assured Nigerians that it would continue deploying intelligence-driven operations to safeguard strategic national assets and ensure that perpetrators of economic sabotage are brought to justice.
