… Foil Kidnapping Attempts, Arrest Criminals, and Destroy Illegal Refineries
Security operatives in Rivers State have successfully prevented an attempt to blow up a major pipeline, averting a potentially devastating attack on critical infrastructure. The operation was executed by a joint task force comprising the Nigerian Police Force, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other security agencies, who have vowed to remain on high alert to protect the state’s assets and residents.
This development comes at a time of heightened political tension in the state, with organized labour threatening to embark on a strike should the Federal Government fail to reverse the emergency rule imposed on Rivers. The controversial emergency rule has sparked widespread criticism, with various groups calling for its immediate revocation.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has been petitioned to remove the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd.), a move that could further deepen the political crisis in the region. Despite the ongoing controversy, Ibas has appointed a new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Ibibia Worika, a legal expert with vast experience in governance and public administration.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the joint security forces for their efforts in maintaining law and order. He noted that their strategic operations have played a crucial role in preventing criminal activities and ensuring that the emergency rule does not lead to a breakdown of peace in the state.
Adepoju emphasized that security agencies are committed to protecting all critical national assets and preventing criminal elements from exploiting the current situation to cause chaos. He assured residents that the security measures in place were temporary and necessary to ensure stability.
During the press briefing, Adepoju highlighted the importance of safeguarding vital infrastructure, particularly oil pipelines, which are frequently targeted by vandals and oil thieves. He called on residents of the state to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible intelligence about suspicious activities.
Providing further details on recent security operations, the Commissioner of Police disclosed that the foiled pipeline attack took place in Aluu-Rumuekpe, Ikwerre Local Government Area. Security operatives, acting on intelligence, moved swiftly to prevent the detonation of explosives on the pipeline. One of the vandals lost his life during the operation while attempting to carry out the sabotage.
In another major breakthrough, security forces raided a known kidnappers’ hideout along Omoku Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area on March 21, 2025. The early morning operation, conducted at about 7:10 AM, led to the arrest of eight suspects and the successful rescue of six kidnapped victims. Items recovered from the criminals included two English-made pump-action guns, two locally made pistols, four single-barrel locally fabricated guns, and a large cache of assorted ammunition. Security operatives also confiscated three Q-link motorcycles and sophisticated communication equipment believed to have been used by the kidnappers to coordinate their criminal activities.
Further intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of two suspects in Onelga Local Government Area on March 19, 2025. The suspects were caught in possession of four dynamites, four switches, and other detonating devices intended for acts of sabotage. The security team also uncovered a cache of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components, which they promptly neutralized to prevent any potential attacks.
As part of ongoing efforts to curb oil theft and illegal refining, security agencies carried out a large-scale operation targeting illicit refining sites across Rivers State. During the operation, officers destroyed 30 illegal refining sites, dismantled 55 crude oil ovens, and decommissioned 20 reservoirs used for the storage of stolen crude. They also uncovered and destroyed 50 dug-out pits filled with illegally obtained petroleum products. In total, an estimated 100,000 liters of stolen crude oil and about 10,000 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were seized and disposed of following existing environmental and security regulations.
The Commissioner of Police reiterated the importance of public cooperation in tackling crime and urged residents to report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies. He assured the people of Rivers State that security forces remain fully committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property while protecting the state’s economic assets from criminal exploitation.
As security forces intensify their operations, tensions continue to rise over the political crisis in Rivers, with key stakeholders awaiting further developments regarding the emergency rule imposed on the state.
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