Operatives of the Nigerian Navy, Naval Base Oguta, have arrested a 57-year-old retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Alfred Kwosa, and another suspect over the alleged vandalism of crude oil pipelines in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
Commander of the Naval Base Oguta, Commodore Sabo Tanko Lengaya, said the suspects were apprehended after naval operatives intercepted a Mercedes truck with registration number AGL 378 XV loaded with ten sections of crude oil pipelines suspected to have been illegally removed from an ADDAX Petroleum pipeline along the Osu-Obodo Road in Oguta.
According to the commander, the truck driver, identified as Stanley Uzoma, fled the scene on sighting the naval personnel, while the truck’s escort, Alfred Kwosa, a retired police officer from Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, was arrested.
Commodore Lengaya disclosed that the retired officer sustained a gunshot wound while attempting to escape arrest. He added that another suspect, Michael Nnamdi, popularly known as “Piloter,” was later traced to his residence in the neighbouring Nnebuku community and taken into custody for his alleged involvement in the criminal syndicate.
The naval commander said the suspects and the recovered truck have been taken into custody for preliminary investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing driver and other members of the alleged pipeline vandalism network.
He described the operation as a major breakthrough in the Nigerian Navy’s ongoing campaign against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage.
Commodore Lengaya noted that the successful interception prevented the suspected syndicate from profiting from the illegal activity and has provided valuable intelligence to support further operations aimed at dismantling the criminal network operating within the area.
