Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Bayelsa State have confirmed the arrest of the suspected ringleader that masterminded the blowing up of the Nigeria Agip Oil Company’s pipeline in the Southern Ijaw Local Government area of the State.

Its Commandant, Desmond Agu, who gave the name of the suspect as Suoyo Dickson, said he (Dickson) and his gang members attacked Agip pipeline at Lagosgbene, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state on May 30, 2017.

Agu,who made this known in Yenagoa, during the parade of the suspect at the headquarters of the command said, ”The vandals fled the scene shortly after disrupting the pipeline. But our anti-Vandals’ team was on their trail, combing the creeks and waterways for the fleeing suspects”

”Our search paid off. With information gathered from members of the public, we located the hideout of the mastermind of this act. The ringleader, Suoyo Dickson, aka Hustler, was arrested on June 16, 2017 at Agbigiba community in Southern Ijaw. The suspect has confessed to the crime and he is helping the corps for further investigations.”

Agu added that some of Dickson’s gang members had earlier been apprehended by a joint task force earlier this month while others were currently on the run. He stated that investigation was still ongoing to apprehend the rest of the gang members, noting that after investigation, the suspects would be prosecuted.

Agu said those (suspects) earlier arrested were still in custody of one of the sister’s security agencies.

He reiterated the corps’ commitment to discharge its duties in line with its mandate and the template of the Commandant General, saying the NSCDC was ever determined and ready to secure public assets including pipelines and other oil installations in the state.

He warned criminals to steer clear of national assets, especially oil installations, saying that people were now aware that vandalism is an old-fashioned, criminal and irresponsible method of agitation.

On convictions so far, Agu stated, ”We have prosecuted many suspects. We have got convictions of 16 suspects that were given life in imprisonment.More than seven suspects were given jail terms ranging three to 10 years in prison. Those convictions are warning to those criminals who are still in the business of illegalities.”

In a chat with the suspect (Dickson), he confessed to the crime, saying that he destroyed the pipeline because of frustration. He claimed that the Oil and Gas Task Force in the area after luring them with compensation and employment to give up their bunkering camps, reneged on their promise.

On how he carried out the burning, the suspect said, ”I used two handsaw blades and handsaw to open up the point, I cut the handle in the valve, I fetched 20 litres of petrol, I lit spark lighter and threw it into the pipe and burnt it.”