A group of suspected vandals met their end while attempting to sabotage a pipeline in Rivers State, according to a police statement on Tuesday.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed during a press conference in Port Harcourt that joint security forces thwarted the attack in Aluu and Rumuekpe communities.
“The coordinated efforts of security personnel stopped the vandals in their tracks, preventing them from carrying out their destructive mission,” he said.
He added that a rapid response on March 16 at the Allu-Rumuekpe section of Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA) averted a potential disaster.
Elsewhere, on March 19, security operatives arrested two individuals in Onelga LGA with four dynamites, detonation devices, and other materials suspected to be used for making explosives.
A subsequent raid on March 21 at a kidnappers’ hideout along Omoku Road in Ahoada East LGA resulted in the arrest of eight individuals and the rescue of six hostages.
Several firearms, live rounds, and communication gadgets were recovered.
Adepoju announced the launch of a State Operations Control Room to enhance surveillance and quicken security responses.
He issued a warning against pipeline vandalism and other criminal acts, vowing that perpetrators would be apprehended and prosecuted.
To strengthen security measures, police will start impounding unregistered vehicles across the state beginning next week.