Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Nigerian Navy has dealt another blow to oil thieves and pipeline vandals, intercepting a truck loaded with suspected vandalised crude oil pipeline sections and arresting two suspected members of a pipeline vandalism syndicate in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
The operation, carried out by personnel of Naval Base (NB) Oguta on July 15, followed credible intelligence and led to the interception of a Mercedes truck transporting 10 sections of crude oil pipeline believed to have been illegally removed from the Addax Petroleum pipeline network along the Osu-Obodo Road corridor.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, one suspect was arrested while escorting the consignment, while another alleged member of the syndicate was apprehended during follow-up operations.
He said security operatives are intensifying efforts to track down other members of the criminal network who remain at large.
Folorunsho noted that the timely interception prevented the suspects from evacuating the vandalised pipeline materials, thereby averting further damage to critical national infrastructure while preserving vital evidence for ongoing investigations.
He said the operation reflects the Nigerian Navy’s sustained commitment to safeguarding the nation’s strategic oil and gas infrastructure through intelligence-driven operations targeting pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft and other forms of economic sabotage.
The Navy spokesman reaffirmed that the service would continue working closely with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to maintain pressure on criminal elements, protect critical national assets and strengthen internal security in support of Nigeria’s economic stability.
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