UGHELLI – THE two suspects arrested by security
agents in connection with the explosion that rocked an oil pipeline belonging
to the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC at Ighwrenene community,
Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, have stated that they blew
up the pipeline in a bid to coax NPDC into awarding them a pipeline
surveillance contract.
The suspects identified as Dennis Oneya aka ‘General
Touch’ and Emmanuel Joseph aka Ajegunle, both of Uduere and Afiesere
communities respectively, told newsmen at the 222 Battalion headquarters,
Agbarha-Otor that they embarked on the mission having being promised job slots
by their sponsors when awarded the contract.
Speaking on their modus operandi, while Dennis Oneya
admitted digging the spot on the pipeline to be bombed in company of others,
Emmanuel Joseph described himself as an expert in handling of dynamites used in
the explosion as well as other similar blasts.
Parading the suspects before newsmen, JTF spokesman,
Lt. Col. Isa Ado explained that the suspects have confessed to the crime and
would be handed over for prosecution to the appropriate authorities after
investigation has been concluded.
Ado further stated that the suspects also hinted
that the explosion was the outcome of a meeting at an undisclosed hotel in
Ughelli were it was agreed that they should embark on the act to hasten the
approval of the said contract by NPDC.
He noted that while efforts are on to arrest fleeing
members of the gang, a Toyota Hilux vehicle and one pump action gun with 77
live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.
Source: Vanguard News
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