Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 19 suspected pipeline vandals, including a serving police sergeant, allegedly caught stealing underground pipeline materials in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.
Key Highlights
- Troops of 143 Battalion arrest 19 suspected pipeline vandals in Isuikwuato LGA, Abia State.
- A police sergeant attached to the Ovim Division is among those arrested.
- Suspects were allegedly loading stolen pipeline materials onto a trailer along the Nkwonta axis.
- Isuikwuato Mayor says troops rejected bribes offered for the suspects’ release.
- Suspects handed over to the NSCDC for investigation.
The suspects were reportedly arrested along the Nkwonta axis while attempting to load the allegedly stolen materials onto a heavy-duty trailer.
Among those arrested was Sergeant Daniel Emeka, a police officer attached to the Ovim Division.
Other suspects reportedly included a truck driver, a bus driver, a conductor, 12 loaders and two panel beaters or metal cutters.
The operation was carried out by troops of the 143 Battalion, with the suspects subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Mayor Commends Troops, Says Bribes Rejected
The arrest comes days after the Mayor of Isuikwuato Local Government Area, Chinedu Ekeke, warned against the theft and destruction of public infrastructure in the area.
Reacting to the operation, Ekeke commended the Commanding Officer of the 143 Battalion, Lt. Col. A. M. Rabe; the team leader, Lt. F. A. Bashir; and other soldiers involved in the operation.
He described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in efforts to curb vandalism and protect public and private infrastructure across the local government area.
The mayor also alleged that the suspects offered substantial bribes to the soldiers in an attempt to secure their release, but the troops rejected the offers.
He said the soldiers’ reported refusal to accept bribes demonstrated professionalism, integrity and commitment to protecting public assets.
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Rising Vandalism In Isuikwuato
The arrest followed Ekeke’s recent warning over what he described as growing cases of vandalism in Isuikwuato.
Among the incidents he cited were an attempted theft of materials at the local government council’s pig farm and reported cases involving high-tension electricity cables along the Amiyi Obinaohia–Abia State University (ABSU) axis.
The mayor had urged parents and guardians to monitor the activities of their children and wards, stressing that community cooperation was necessary to prevent criminal activities and protect public infrastructure.
He warned that the government would take decisive action against those involved in the destruction and theft of valuable public assets.
The suspects remain subject to investigation, and the allegations against them have yet to be established in court.
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