Authorities in Edo State have arrested six individuals in connection with the vandalism of the Warri/Kaduna crude oil pipeline at Ekperi, where nearly 30 kilometres of pipeline facilities were reportedly excavated.

Chairman of the Edo State Task Force on Recovery of Government Property, Eugene Okolosie, disclosed this to newsmen in Benin. He revealed that the suspects allegedly collaborated with some members of the community to carry out the theft, using heavy machinery such as excavators to unearth and remove the underground pipes intended to transport crude oil from Warri to the Kaduna refinery.

Okolosie said some of the stolen pipelines had been recovered, and investigations ongoing to uncover the full extent of the operation and the involvement of additional suspects.

In a related crackdown, the Task Force also arrested five persons in Uhuoghun, Orhionmwon Local Council, for vandalising a government-owned tractor along with other heavy-duty equipment, which they reportedly intended to sell.

Five more suspects were arrested in Okpella for the theft of high-tension electricity infrastructure. Okolosie expressed worry over the increasing incidents of illegal encroachment and the sale of government lands across Edo, noting that 480 hectares of public land, which had been unlawfully sold by members of various communities, were recovered in the state.