The troops of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, have arrested the suspected mastermind of the bombing of pipelines belonging to Nigerian Agip Oil Company in Bayelsa State.

Hoodlums had on January 28, 2016, bombed Agip oil pipelines located in Orukari, Golubokiri and Kpongbokiri communities in Brass Local Government Area of the state.

The attacks on the pipelines had resulted in massive spillage of crude oil from the Agip pipelines into the sea and fishing camps.

But on Wednesday, the Commander, OPS, Maj. Gen. Alani Okunlola, in a statement by the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, Col. Ado Isa, said their troops arrested the mastermind of the explosion.
 
Okunlola gave the name of the mastermind as Prince Alvin Cockman Oyegun, alias ‘Commander Abula’.

The OPS commander said the suspect was arrested at Idema community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He added that the suspect allegedly masterminded the attack on the Agip manifold, located at Gbobokiri, in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State on January 28, 2016, which led to oil spillage in the area.

Okunlola said the attack was on a 24-inch manifold that conveyed crude oil and gas.

He added that the hunt for other suspects and accomplices was ongoing.

The OPS commander warned all miscreants engaged in the destruction of oil installations to desist from such criminal acts.

He said the command remained resolute in its fight to rid the Niger Delta region of oil thieves, pipeline vandals and other criminals.

He urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons to the security outfit.