A coordinated operation by a joint security team comprising the Police and the Military has successfully thwarted attempts to vandalize oil pipelines in the Aluu and Rumukpe areas of Ikwerre and Emohua Local Government Areas of Rivers State. The operation also led to the rescue of six kidnap victims in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA).
The disclosure was made during a press briefing on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, by the Rivers State Joint Security Team, which includes the Police, Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the State Security Service.
Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, who addressed the press, stated that since the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, all security agencies have been operating collaboratively to ensure the safety of lives and property. He commended the joint patrol teams for their diligent execution of their mandate in support of the state of emergency.
CP Adepoju revealed that the Joint Security Team successfully intercepted and prevented miscreants from vandalizing pipelines in Aluu and Rumukpe, resulting in the death of some of the vandals during the operation.
In a separate operation along the Omoku road in ONELGA, eight male suspects were apprehended, and six kidnap victims were rescued from their captivity. Recovered from the hoodlums were two pump-action guns, two locally made pistols, four locally fabricated single-barrel guns, assorted ammunition, and two motorcycles.
Furthermore, the Rivers State Police Chief disclosed that another attempt to target a pipeline in ONELGA was foiled on March 16th, leading to the arrest of one suspect and the recovery of four dynamites and communication equipment.
During the period under review, the Joint Security Team also made significant strides in combating illegal oil refining, destroying over 30 illegal refining sites and impounding thousands of liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
CP Adepoju urged members of the public to actively support the security agencies by providing timely and credible information regarding criminal activities, emphasizing that “the safety of our environment is paramount to foster business growth.”
He reiterated the commitment of the security forces to maintaining law and order in the state, stating, “We remain resolute in maintaining law and order. We are fully prepared to carry out our responsibility with diligence. We have improved the deployment of security operatives to curtail the movement of criminals and illicit materials.”
The Commissioner of Police also announced that a targeted enforcement would commence to impound vehicles with unregistered number plates, citing the security risks associated with such vehicles. He affirmed the Rivers State Police Command’s commitment to working in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure peace and safety in the state.
CP Adepoju appealed to parents to caution their children against engaging in sabotage and criminal conduct and encouraged the public to utilize the provided Police Control numbers (08032003514, 0809888134) and Complaints Response Unit numbers (08120822987, 09035774814) to report any suspicious activities.
