TheCable

The Akwa Ibom police command has arrested three suspected pipeline vandals in Eket local government area of the state.

The suspects, Nelson Semiyefa from Bayelsa; Victor William and Nseobong Dickson, both from Akwa Ibom, however, denied being vandals and criminals.

Briefing reporters on the arrest, Murtala MANI, the state police commissioner, said the suspects were found with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) capable of destroying high pressure oil pipelines.

Mani, who was represented by Cordelia Nwawe, public relations officer of the command, also disclosed that the suspects were arrested in a hotel in Ikot Udoma village in Eket council area.

He said that the IEDs comprised two high power pipe bombs measured at 60/8.5cm and 44/5.5 cm, respectively.

Mani added that the third IED was one long single high power propel launcher bomb measured at 78/4.5cm capable of destroying high pressure oil and gas pipeline facility.

He said other items recovered from the suspects included a battery for igniting explosion, a bottle wrapped with red clothes, native eggs and feathers suspected to be charm.

The commissioner called on the people to be at alert and report any suspicious persons in the community to the police.