One of the suspected leaders of the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, Abraham Suru, has been arrested by the Nigerian Navy around Sapele Council Area of Delta State.
Suru, famously known as Gabon from Ondo State, was arrested weeks after he was declared wanted by the Nigerian military over the recent attacks on oil pipelines within Warri North and South-West Council Areas of the state.
Parading the suspect before newsmen at the Warri Navy Base on Thursday, the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Joseph Dzunve said the suspect was arrested Tuesday 20 September, 2016 around Sapele where he had been hiding.
Commodore Dzunve noted that Gabon’s arrest was part of intense efforts by the Navy through the Operation Delta Safe (ODS) to flush out militants and other criminal elements from the region.
The Naval Chief said, “As part of the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to stop crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the nation’s maritime domain, the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta being part of the Operation Delta Safe, has arrested a notorious gang leader who has been in this business since 2011.
“He (Abraham Suru aka Gabon) is involved in pipeline vandalism, sea robbery, attacks shipping, illegal bunkering and currently a suspected member of the Niger Delta Avengers.
“The Nigerian Navy remains committed in apprehending those behind all forms of criminal activities in the Nigerian Maritime Domain. Let me assure the general public that the Navy component of ODS is resolute in curbing criminal activities in the nation maritime environment.”
The arrested Suru admitted to crime of being a militant and blowing up oil facilities in the region including one at Dibi community in Warri North.
In his words, “General Kaphapolo told me that their youths are not being recognized by oil company in the area that is while we were attacking facilities.
“But after General Kaphapolo died in a motor accident, I was contacted by one General Tony Felix to join their team because they know I am capable of blowing up oil facilities. I am not a member of Niger Delta Avengers.”
The development cane barely 24 hours after a suspected Commander of the Niger Delta Avengers, General Felix Omereji, alongside other fighters of the group surrendered their arms to the Imo State government.
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