A suspect has been arrested in connection with the explosion that occurred on Sunday, March 16, on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) right of way at Aluu community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
According to sources, the arrest was made possible by credible intelligence gathered by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd’s (PINL) covert team operation in Aluu.
An operations staff member of PINL, who identified himself as Ebikeme, confirmed the arrest to journalists.
He said: “On Sunday, the 16th day of March, 2025, there was a blast on the TNP Pipeline Right of Way in Aluu – Zone 5, and a suspected vandal was found dead at the site of the incident from the effects of the blast.”
Ebikeme further stated that upon further investigation, another suspected vandal was apprehended in connection with the incident.
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He added: “The suspect is currently in the custody of the Nigeria Police, while further investigation is being carried out to nab all other perpetrators in the act.”
This incident is not an isolated one, as similar blasts occurred on Monday night and Tuesday morning at Bodo community in Gokana Local Government Area and an oil facility in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, both in Rivers State.
The arrest of the suspect is seen as a significant breakthrough in the investigation, and security agencies are working to unravel the circumstances surrounding the explosion and apprehend other culprits involved.
