Cultists bomb Agip gas pipeline over suspect’s arrest
A group of armed men believed to be
cultists have blown up a gas facility in Akala Olu village, Ahoada West
Local Government Area of Rivers State for the arrest and continued
detention of a suspect, Mr. Emmanuel Odum.
The attack on the gas facility,
according to a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public
Relations, 2 Brigade in Port Harcourt, Captain Eli Lazarus, disrupted
production activities of the Nigeria Agip Oil Company.
The suspected cultists believed to be members of the Icelander cult
group had demanded the release of Odum, who was said to be undergoing
interrogation for his alleged involvement in pipeline vandalisation and
cult-related activities.
The statement issued in Port Harcourt on
Monday indicated that the vandals/suspected cultists had also
threatened to carry out further attacks on oil and gas installations
unless their demands were met.
“In the early hours of Sunday, February
7, 2016 pipeline vandals destroyed a gas facility in Akala Olu village
in Oshie community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State,
thereby disrupting the production activities of the Nigeria Agip Oil
Company.
“The vandals threatened to carry out
further acts of vandalism unless their demands are met. The vandals are
suspected members of the Icelander cult group.
“The group demanded the release of a
detained suspect; one Mr. Emmanuel Odum, currently undergoing
interrogation in connection with pipeline vandalism and cult-related
activities,” the statement from the 2 Brigade read.
It, however, warned that that the
military would not be intimidated into doing the bidding of any group of
criminals, cautioning that the Nigerian Army would deal with anybody
caught vandalising the nation’s pipelines.
It observed that politicians were arming
the cult groups and encouraging them with inciting utterances capable
of breaching public peace, adding that the Army would not hesitate to
deal with such politicians.
Lazarus said, “I wish to state
categorically that 2 Brigade will not be cowed into doing the bidding of
any criminal group. For the avoidance of doubt, anyone caught
vandalising such critical national asset will be severely dealt with in
accordance with the law.
“Additionally, it is now known that some
politicians are arming these groups and encouraging them with inciting
comments to breach public peace. No one should be in doubt of the
capacity of the military to deal decisively with such persons.
“If anyone is caught breaching public
peace, particularly during the forthcoming elections, such
person/persons should have themselves to blame. Already, some suspected
patrons and sponsors of these criminals groups are being closely
monitored by security agencies.”
The 2 Brigade spokesperson advised
parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against any form
of association with such criminal groups and sponsors or be ready to
face the wrath of the law when apprehended.
He also assured members of the public
that no effort would be spared in arresting and prosecuting pipeline
vandals and other criminals.
“Any relevant information that can
assist the Brigade in arresting such criminals could be passed using the
following numbers: 09056042841, 09056042841, 07039037833 07039037833,
07013469203 and 07013469203 as all information received will be treated
with utmost confidentiality,” Lazarus added
Comments
Post a Comment