Troops of the Joint Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Pulo Shield (OPS), say they have arrested the suspected mastermind of the bombing of pipelines belonging to Nigerian Agip Oil Company in Bayelsa State.
Agip oil pipelines located in Orukari, Golubokiri and Kpongbokiri communities of Brass Local Government Area of the state had been bombed on January 28.
The dynamite attacks on the pipelines had resulted in massive spillage of crude oil from the Agip pipelines into the sea and fishing camps.
OPS Commander, Maj.-Gen. Alani Okunlola, in a statement by the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, Col. Ado Isa, yesterday said their troops arrested the mastermind of the attack.
Okunlola gave the name of the mastermind as Prince Alvin Cockman Oyegun, alias ‘Commander Abula’.
The OPS commander said the suspect was arrested at Idema community in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State.
He said the suspect allegedly masterminded the attack on the Agip manifold located at Gbobokiri in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State on January 28, 2016, which led to oil spillage in the area.
Okunlola said the manifold that was attacked was a 24-inch manifold that conveyed crude oil and gas.
He added that the hunt for other suspects and accomplices was ongoing.
The OPS commander warned all miscreants engaged in the destruction of oil installations to desist from such criminal acts.
He said the Command remained resolute in its fight to rid the Niger Delta region of oil thieves, pipeline vandals and other criminals.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons to the OPS.
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