Soldiers arrest two in Delta over Pipeline Vandelism

OLEH—SOLDIERS from the 222 Battalion of  the Nigerian Army, have arrested two persons in Idheze community, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, following the suspected vandalization of a major Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC, a pipeline in the area. 

It will be recalled that the pipeline was allegedly vandalized in the early hours June 13, 20l6 with the resultant oil spill causing a heavy fire outbreak which led to the destruction of farmlands and economic crops in the community. 

Community sources, however,  said they were still confused as to whether the oil spill was as a result of vandalism of the pipeline or equipment failure, noting that the incident was still subject to investigation by security agencies. 

A source who preferred anonymity told Vanguard that one of those apprehended by the soldiers “is an indigene of the community whose house is very close to the place where the incident took place. 

“The other person is the youth leader of the community. He was working in a community in Bayelsa State, when the incident happened. As a youth leader, he was called home after the oil spill and when he got home, he was invited by the soldiers. Thereafter, he was arrested and still being detained. 

“As we speak, investigations are still on and they want to go to Bayelsa to find out if he was actually there working as at the time of the incident.” Confirming the arrests, a security source said that matter was still under investigation.

[vanguardng]