Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 19 people suspected of involvement in the removal of petroleum pipeline sections in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.
The arrests were reportedly made on October 24 around Nkwonta, along the Isuikwuato–Abia State University road, during an operation by personnel of the 143 Rangers Battalion based in Ovim.
The battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel A. M. Rabe, said troops had monitored suspected vandalism activities for about three months through intelligence gathering, patrols and ambush operations.
According to the commander, the suspects were apprehended while cut pipeline sections were being loaded into a truck. The recovered materials and vehicle were handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for investigation.
Rabe also alleged that those involved had offered soldiers ₦1 million to allow the activity to continue. The bribery claim remains an allegation pending investigation and any judicial proceedings.
He said the suspects included loaders, cutters, drivers and a conductor. The army did not establish during the arrest whether any detainee was a serving police officer, despite speculation about one individual’s identity.
Isuikwuato council chairman Chinedu Ekeke commended the operation and expressed concern about attacks on public assets, including electricity infrastructure and council projects.
Some detainees reportedly disputed knowing that the materials were unlawfully obtained, saying they had been hired to transport what they believed was scrap.
The suspects are entitled to the presumption of innocence, and responsibility for any offence will depend on the outcome of investigations and proceedings before a competent court.
