ARMY ARRESTS 18-YEAR-OLD OVER ALLEGED PIPELINE VANDALISM IN BENUE

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Whirl Stroke have arrested an 18-year-old motorcycle rider over an alleged pipeline vandalism attempt at Gou community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The suspect, identified as Aondoyima Agber, was arrested on Tuesday, October 20, after troops received intelligence about the activities of suspected vandals in the community.

The Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to Zubairu, troops were conducting a fighting patrol when they received information about the suspected vandalism and moved to the location. The suspected vandals had fled before the soldiers arrived, but Agber was apprehended while allegedly attempting to transport a section of the pipeline on a motorcycle.

The statement said the suspect remained in custody pending further directives, while troops continued patrols in the area to prevent attacks on critical infrastructure and deter criminal activities.

The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke and General Officer Commanding, 5 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their response, describing the operation as a proactive effort to protect critical national assets.

Gara warned against the destruction of public infrastructure and urged residents to report suspicious activities to security agencies.

He also stressed the importance of cooperation between security personnel and local communities in preventing crime and maintaining peace across the task force’s area of responsibility.