The Nigerian Police in collaboration with other security agencies, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, have foiled an attempt to bomb a pipeline in Rivers State.
The development occurred at a time the state was under a state of emergency, which has been marked by tightened security to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
According to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, the joint patrol operations being undertaken by the security agencies have been central to the restoration of peace and calm in the state.
Adepoju applauded the efforts of the security agencies as he stated that the concerted efforts of the agents have prevented potential troublemakers from destabilizing the state into insecurity and chaos.
The security agencies have also foiled several attempts by hoodlums to vandalize major government facilities, resulting in the death of one suspect who attempted to plant an explosive device on a pipeline at Aluu-Rumuekpe in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Eight suspects were also arrested, and six male victims rescued when kidnappers' hideout was busted at Ahoada East Local Government Area.
The security agencies also recovered a cache of arms, which included two English-made pump action guns, two locally-made pistols, and four locally-made single barrel guns, among others.
Besides, 30 illegal refining points, 55 ovens, 20 reservoirs, 50 dug-out pits, 100,000 liters of stolen crude oil, and about 10,000 liters of illegally refined AGO were destroyed.
Adepoju appealed to members of the public to provide the police and other security agencies with credible intelligence on such individuals or groups of persons engaged in acts of vandalism and other criminalities.
He assured the people of Rivers State that the current security arrangements were temporary and that the state would soon witness a more peaceful and secure environment.
The development comes after threats by organized labour in the state to go on strike if the federal government fails within a reasonable time to lift the state of emergency imposed on the state.
In another development, a Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to remove Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (retd).
