The Nigerian government has begin a clampdown on rampaging Niger Delta militants blowing up oil pipelines in the South-south region.
Operatives of the anti vandal unit of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have arrested the alleged leader of the armed gang that bombed the Tebidaba-Brass trunkline penultimate week around Ikienghenbiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Vanguard gathered that the suspect identified as Suoyo Nathan, was arrested in the swamp, yesterday with the assistance of NAOC community surveillance team.
It was further gathered that security operatives are on the trail of two of his cohorts, identified as Iyalewei and Fyneboy.
Community security sources told Vanguard that full scale security operation was ongoing in the swamp area backed by Air Force fighter jets and helicopters on surveillance as well as gunboats.
The source added that night movement had been banned in the area.
Though the state NSCDC Commandant, could not be reached for comment, a senior official of the corps who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The suspect is in our custody. He was arrested today (yesterday) with the assistance of NAOC surveillance team and would be prosecuted at the conclusion of ongoing investigation.”