…Three suspects arrested as police intensify manhunt
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Elema Community in Bayelsa State, CSP Nathanel Azibayam, has declared a 28-year-old man, Jude Ekhator, wanted over his alleged involvement in illegal oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, sea piracy, and militant activities in the Niger Delta region.
The police also paraded three suspected members of the syndicate, identified as Jack Ebele, Destiny Ekoma and Wealth Adagogo, who were allegedly arrested during a security operation linked to the case.
Addressing journalists on the development, Azibayam alleged that Ekhator was part of a criminal network reportedly led by a suspected militant kingpin identified as General Ozobolo, said to be involved in illegal crude oil refining and attacks on merchant boats operating along waterways in the Niger Delta.
According to the DPO, investigations revealed that Ekhator fled his home state after allegedly being implicated in a violent community clash before relocating to Bayelsa State, where he later became involved in illegal bunkering operations.
He disclosed that Ekhator allegedly worked as a welder in the construction of a local refinery used for the illegal processing of petroleum products, including gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and asphalt.
Azibayam further stated that the illegal refining camp was destroyed in 2012 following a military raid that led to the destruction of equipment and installations used for the operation.
Following the crackdown, the suspect was alleged to have joined an armed militant group under the command of General Ozobolo.
The DPO claimed members of the group were armed with sophisticated weapons and operated speedboats allegedly used to attack and rob merchant vessels operating within riverine communities.
Police investigations also linked Ekhator to an attempted crude oil theft operation carried out on July 5, 2014, in Oshi Community, Eloma, where suspected militants allegedly vandalized an oil pipeline in a bid to siphon crude oil.
According to Azibayam, the suspects initially fled the scene after encountering local vigilante operatives guarding the facility.
He, however, alleged that the group returned two weeks later at night with pumping equipment to continue the illegal operation, resulting in a gun duel with vigilante members.
“Several suspects were arrested during the exchange of gunfire, while Jude Ekhator escaped through the waterways,” the DPO said.
The Bayelsa State Police Command described Ekhator as a fugitive currently under investigation for alleged involvement in organized criminal activities connected to oil theft and militancy in the Niger Delta.
The command called on members of the public with useful information regarding the whereabouts of the suspect to report to the nearest police station or other security agencies.
