State Commandant Akintayo Saidi Ayinla disclosed that the incident occurred Thursday at about 1:00 p.m. when operatives of the Command’s Anti-Vandal Unit, in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Pipeline Security and Surveillance, were conducting a routine patrol along the NNPC pipeline corridor.
He said the patrol team encountered a group of suspected vandals allegedly excavating and attempting to damage the pipeline. According to him, the suspects opened fire on sighting the security operatives in a bid to escape, but the officers responded, forcing them to flee into the surrounding bush.
The Commandant said the fleeing suspects abandoned several items at the scene, including five long gas cylinders, two motorcycles, two shovels and two digger heads, all of which were recovered by the operatives.
Ayinla described the operation as a significant breakthrough in the Command’s ongoing campaign against pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage, stressing that the protection of critical national assets remains a top priority.
He disclosed that security operatives had launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects and warned criminals and their sponsors to steer clear of government facilities, particularly oil and gas infrastructure, assuring that those involved would be arrested and prosecuted.
The Commandant appealed to residents of Edo State to support security agencies with credible and timely information capable of preventing vandalism and other crimes.
He assured that all information would be treated confidentially while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to collaborating with other security agencies to safeguard lives, property and critical national infrastructure.
