Nigerian navy nabs oil pipeline vandal

The coordinator of attacks on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Chevron oil and gas facilities in southern Nigeria's Delta State has been arrested, the country's navy said Tuesday.

The suspected kingpin and others allegedly involved in the act of vandalism and criminal activities were apprehended on June 2, the navy Commander in charge of Delta, Commodore Raimi Mohammed, told a news conference in Warri city.

Mohammed described the arrest as a major breakthrough. "We have recovered some Impoverished Explosive Devices (IED) for blowing up and vandalizing pipelines."

The commander said the suspect was deeply involved in pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, saying that his arrest came after several weeks of trailing and arrest of some of his foot-soldiers.

Mohammed said the navy had also apprehended another suspect identified as Michael John, who allegedly murdered three soldiers in Jones creek and one soldier and a policeman in Batan community.

Mohammed assured that the navy would continue to protect the nation's territorial waterways.

There have been a resurgence in militant attacks in the oil-rich southern region in the last few weeks, with strikes on pipelines and oil facilities.

A group that calls itself the Niger Delta Avengers has claimed responsibility for most of them. Endit