The Bayelsa State Command has arrested five suspected pipeline vandals who allegedly blew up a trunkline carrying crude oil from Omoku to the Brass Terminal at Etiama in the state’s Nembe Local Government Area.
SP Asinim Butswat, the command’s spokesperson, said in a statement on Tuesday, August 16, that the suspects used an improvised explosive device (IED) to blow up a crude delivery pipeline at Obama Tekere River, which supplies crude oil to the Brass terminal, a few weeks after the previous attack.
The PPRO said one of the suspects, Kelvin Sutomwa, has been on wanted list of the command for various offences such as kidnapping, sea piracy and pipeline vandalism.
“In recent times, the Bayelsa State Police Command was confronted with reported cases of pipeline vandalism, sea piracy and illegal oil bunkering activities. These crimes have negatively impacted our environment – most especially the Marine life – and the economy of the country at large,” the statement read.
“You may recall that on 30th July 2022 at 0200 hours, pipeline vandals blew up a Trunkline carrying crude oil from Omoku to Brass Terminal at Etiama, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State
“In a related attack, on 11 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 Tekere 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.
“Consequently, on 6th August 2022 at about 1145 hours, acting on credible intelligence, the operatives of the Anti kidnapping unit arrested one Kelvin Sutomwa Martin ‘m’ 37 years aka Lugard at Agbura, Yenagoa
“The suspect has been on wanted list of the command for various offences such as: kidnapping, sea piracy and pipeline vandalism. Upon interrogation the suspect mentioned his cohorts who are residents of Nembe Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area.
“In a follow up operation on 12 August,2022 operatives of the Anti kidnapping unit in collaboration with youths working for Labrador Security outfit arrested one Ebiebere Paul ‘m’ 42 years, Christian Ayibatariworio ‘m’ 43 years, Owori Clarkson Paul ‘m’ 45 years and Beregha Kingsley ‘m’ 32 years, aka kalaboy, after a fierce gun battle at their hideout in Nembe Bassambiri and Nembe Creek.
All the suspects have confessed to their involvement in the recent attack on a Crude oil delivery pipeline at Obama Tekere River and a Trunkline at Etiama, Nembe Local Government Areas
“The Bayelsa State Police Command will continue to collaborate and synergize with other sister security agencies, community youths and relevant stakeholders to protect critical national infrastructure.”
Butswat added that the suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.
