The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested three men for allegedly tampering with a decommissioned oil wellhead in Otuabagi community, Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
The police also recovered equipment suspected to have been used in the operation, while three other alleged accomplices escaped and are currently being pursued.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Muhammed, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday.
Muhammed said the arrests followed a report received by the command at about 7:35am on November 12, 2026.
He explained that operatives from the Ogbia Police Division, working alongside members of the Community Development Committee, responded to the report and apprehended three suspects at the scene.
The arrested individuals were identified as Simeon Joshua Ezeke, Pere Thankgod and Gift Elijah.
According to the police spokesperson, three other suspects, identified as Richard Johnbull, Ken and Nabhel Moses, fled before the security operatives arrived.
He stated, “Following a report received by the police on November 12, 2026, at about 7:35am, operatives attached to Ogbia Division, in collaboration with the Community Development Committee, swiftly mobilised to the location, where three suspects were apprehended.”
Muhammed added that items believed to have been used in tampering with the oil facility were recovered during the operation.
He said, “Tools suspected to have been used in the act were also recovered, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”
The command disclosed that an investigation had commenced to establish how the incident occurred and determine the roles of everyone allegedly connected to it.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, CP Ajao Adewale, warned residents against vandalising or interfering with public infrastructure and other valuable assets.
Adewale described the protection of critical infrastructure as a shared responsibility and urged residents to assist security agencies in preventing damage to government and community facilities.
He warned that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“The public is cautioned against tampering with, damaging or interfering with public infrastructure and other valuable assets,” the commissioner said.
He also appealed to residents to report suspicious activities promptly, assuring that the police were committed to apprehending the remaining suspects and bringing all those involved to justice.
