The Nigerian Navy Naval Base Oguta has arrested two suspected members of a pipeline vandalism syndicate and intercepted a truck conveying suspected vandalised sections of crude oil pipelines in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

In a statement by the Naval command, the operation was carried out by the troops at about 6:25 a.m. on July 13, 2026, following credible intelligence on the movement of suspected stolen oil pipeline materials along the Osu–Obodo Road.

According to the Navy, operatives intercepted a Mercedes truck with registration number AGL 378 XV, loaded with about 10 sections of crude oil pipeline belonging to Addax Petroleum, suspected to have been vandalised from the company’s pipeline network.

The Navy said the truck driver, identified as Stanley Uzoma, reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled on sighting the naval personnel.

However, the Navy arrested the escort of the consignment, Alfred Kwosa, 57, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police from Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, who reportedly sustained a gunshot wound while attempting to escape.

In a follow-up operation, naval personnel arrested another suspect, Michael Nnamdi, popularly known as “Piloter,” 51, identified as a member of the alleged criminal syndicate at his residence in Nnebukwu community.

The Navy stated that the suspects, the recovered truck and the vandalised pipeline sections, have been taken into custody at Naval Base Oguta for preliminary investigation, while efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing driver and other suspected members of the syndicate.

Speaking on the operation, the Commander of Naval Base Oguta, Commodore Sabo Tanko Lengaya, said the arrests reflected the objectives of the Nigerian Navy’s sustained internal security operations aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action in Imo State.

Lengaya said the operation marked another significant success in the Oguta Naval Base ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage targeting critical national assets, in furtherance of the Nigerian Navy’s strategic mandate within its area of operations.

According to the Commander, the timely interception of the suspected vandals and recovery of the stolen pipeline materials prevented the criminal syndicates from furthering their illegal activities while providing valuable intelligence that could support follow-up operations against other members of the network.

Lengaya added that the success further underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in dismantling criminal networks involved in oil theft, related offences and economic sabotage.

“It is therefore assessed that sustained intelligence collection, persistent surveillance of critical oil and gas infrastructure, aggressive domination patrols, random vehicle checks along known evacuation routes and close collaboration with other security agencies and host communities should be maintained to deny criminals freedom of action, prevent further acts of pipeline vandalism and consolidate the gains recorded under the Nigerian Navy’s maritime and internal security operations,” the Commander stated.