The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo State Command, in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Pipeline Surveillance and Security, has arrested two suspected pipeline vandals in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of the state.

The command's spokesman, CSC Ogbebor Efosa, disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated operation at a cattle market in Idumabor following credible intelligence.

According to the statement, the suspects, identified as 55-year-old Kadiri Isah and 27-year-old Mustapha Naphiyu, allegedly specialise in vandalising Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) oil pipelines and had been under surveillance by the command for some time.

The NSCDC said sustained intelligence gathering enabled operatives to track and arrest the suspects, who reportedly made useful confessional statements during preliminary interrogation regarding their involvement in the alleged criminal activities.

The command added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate and dismantle the network behind the illegal operation.

It stated that the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment, under the leadership of Commandant Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure and tackling all forms of economic sabotage across Edo State.

The command also warned individuals involved in pipeline vandalism and related offences to desist or leave the state, stressing that there would be no hiding place for those seeking to undermine government efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure.