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Emma Sunday
Following reports of recent attacks on oil and gas facilities, amidst other crime related activities that have greeted the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, the Nigeria Police Force, the military, Department of State Security Services, DSS, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, said they are joining forces to ensure there is no further breakdown of law and order in the state.
Rivers State had in the past one week has allegedly recorded explosions on some oil facilities including the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo, Gokana LGA and a manifold in Oga/Egbema/Ndoni, a gas line in Soku, Akuku Toru LGA, as well as oil leakage in Okirika LGA. Unknown militant groups in the Niger Delta region have been suspected to be responsible for the explosions.
The threats and fears caused by the explosions among other security challenges, have however, led birth to formation of a joint security team comprising the Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, the DSS and NSCDC.
The Joint Security team while briefing Journalists on Tuesday at the Headquarters of the Rivers State Police Command said it has voided vandalization of pipeline at Aluu and Rumuekpe in Ikwerre and Emohua Local Government Areas of the State respectively which led to death of vandals in the areas.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju who read out the text of the press briefing said since the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers state, all the security agencies has been working as a team to ensure safety of lives and property.
Adepoju commended the joint patrol teams for doing a great job to support and ensure that the mandate of the state of emergency in Rivers which is to ensure peace and orderliness is fully restored in the state.
The CP disclosed that six kidnap victims were recently rescued in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government, while eight male suspects were arrested.
According to him, 3 pump action guns, 2 locally made pistols, 4 local single barrel guns, military camouflage, assorted ammunitions and two motorcycles were recovered from the hoodlums.
He further disclosed that another case of criminal targeting pipeline was foiled in ONELGA on 16th March, 2025 as a suspect was arrested, four dynamites, communication equipment were recovered.
He further said the Joint security team in the period under review destroyed over 30 illegal refining sites, impounded thousands litres of AGO.
The Rivers Police Boss however, urged members of the public to provide security agencies with information concerning activities of criminals.
He said, “The safety of our environment is paramount to foster business growth. We remain resolute in maintaining law and order.
“We are fully prepared to carryout our responsibilities with diligence. We have improved deployment of security operatives to curtail movement of criminals and illicit materials.
“A targeted enforcement will commence to impound unregistered number plate, because such issue can jeopardize security.
“The Rivers Police Command will work in collaboration with other agencies to ensure peace and safety in the state” CP Adepoju said.
