A serial pipeline vandal and strike force leader of the Niger Delta Avengers who was declared wanted some months ago, has finally been arrested by the Nigerian Navy.
Speaking with newsmen on Thursday, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Joseph Dzunve, has disclosed that the suspected serial pipeline vandal and strike force leader of the Niger Delta Avengers was been arrested by the Nigerian Navy around Sapele Council Area of Delta State.
According to the commander, the suspect identified as Abraham Suru also known as Gabon from Ondo State, was arrested weeks after he had been declared wanted by the Nigerian military for being responsible incessant attacks on oil and gas facilities within Warri North and South-West Council Areas of the state.
Commodore Dzunve who said the suspect was arrested Tuesday 20 September, 2016 around Sapele where he had been hiding, noted that Gabon’s arrest was part of intense efforts by the Navy through the Operation Delta Safe (ODS) to flush out militants and other criminal elements from the region.
According to Punch Newspaper, the Naval Chief said, “As part of the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to stop crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the nation’s maritime domain, the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta being part of the Operation Delta Safe has arrested a notorious gang leader who has been in this business since 2011.
“He (Abraham Suru aka Gabon) is involved in pipeline vandalism, sea robbery, attacks shipping, illegal bunkering and currently a suspected member of the Niger Delta Avengers.
“The Nigerian Navy remains committed in apprehending those behind all forms of criminal activities in the Nigerian Maritime Domain. Let me assure the general public that the Navy component of ODS is resolute in curbing criminal activities in the nation maritime environment.”
Confessing to newsmen over the allegation of being a militant and blowing up oil facilities in the region including one at Dibi community in Warri North, the suspect said although he was not a member of the Niger Delta Avengers, he was recruited into the criminal act by Genera Kaphapolo, a former militant leader who died recently in a ghastly motor accident in 2011 and since them he had carried out series of attacks.
“General Kaphapolo told me that their youths are not being recognise by oil company in the area that is while we were attacking facilities. But after General Kaphapolo died in a motor accident, I was contacted by one General Tony Felix to join their team because they know I am capable of blowing up oil facilities. I am not a member of Niger Delta Avengers,” he said.
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