ATTACKERS ON AGIP PIPELINE ARRESTED, OTHERS ON THE RUN.

Following the attack on May 22nd by suspected militants on Eni Oil pipeline in Bayelsa, Eni's Nigerian subsidiary  Agip oil company (NAOC), at Ikeinghenbiri community in Southern Ijaw council, Bayelsa state.

According to reports, the suspected militants were struggling for control of the Ogboinbiri-Tebidaba crude trunk line which passed through the area. Therefore, they set ablaze the pipeline in hope of getting the security contract.

It was also reported that residents were scared and were already leaving to neighbouring villages for cover.

Meanwhile, in a recent development, Indigenes of the community quickly moved into action after some brief investigations and apprehended some members of the suspected pipeline vandals.

Arrested members revealed that the group, which was led by Nathan Suoyou, Iyelawei and Fyneboy vandalised the pipeline along the Azuzuama – Ikienghenbiri axis of the trunk line conveying crude oil from the Nigerian Agip Oil Company flow station at Tebidaba to Brass.

A statement of confirmation issued on Sunday in Yenagoa also affirmed  by the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jonathan Obuebite, said the pipeline vandals were apprehended by youths of Azuzuama community, who got wind of the planned action.

According to him, 'they were arrested with the support of operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and one of them was shot in the leg while trying to escape'.

Obuebite  who also expressed delight that the arrests were coming on the heels of Governor Seriake Dickson’s meeting with Traditional Rulers and Chairmen of Community Development Communities( CDC) where the Governor directly placed the responsibility of maintaining peace and safeguarding oil facilities in their domains on their shoulders.

The Commissioner praised the youths of Azuzuama Community "for their gallantry, patriotic disposition and commitment to the peace and economic well being of the state and Nigeria as a whole."

According to him, Dickson would "invite them and reward them for responding positively to his clarion call when it mattered most."

Obuebite also called on other communities to emulate the Azuzuama community, adding that, "if every other communities can act in like manner, the current wave of attacks on national assets and related criminal acts will be drastically minimised, if not completely eliminated."

He reaassured community leaders and youths of government's preparedness to continue to support and partner with them in the protection of lives and property.