Police nab three for messing with Bayelsa oil wellhead

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested three people for allegedly tampering with a capped oil wellhead in Otuabagi community, Ogbia Local Government Area.

The police also found tools that the suspects likely used in the act. Three others involved in the incident escaped and are now being chased by security agents.

DSP Musa Muhammed, the state Police Public Relations Officer, shared this in a statement on Saturday. He said the arrests happened after the command got a report around 7:35 am.

According to the statement, officers from the Ogbia Police Division, along with the Community Development Committee, quickly moved to the scene and caught the suspects.

The arrested suspects are Simeon Joshua Ezeke, Pere Thankgod, and Gift Elijah. The police spokesman mentioned that three other suspects, named Richard Johnbull, Ken, and Nabhel Moses, ran away before the officers arrived.

He said, “Following a report received by the police on November 12, 2026, at about 7:35 am, operatives attached to Ogbia Division, in collaboration with the Community Development Committee, swiftly mobilised to the location, where three suspects were apprehended.”

Muhammed added, “Tools suspected to have been used in the act were also recovered, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”

The police have started an investigation to understand what happened and find out how everyone involved is connected to the tampering.

Responding to this situation, the Commissioner of Police for Bayelsa State, CP Ajao Adewale, warned the public against tampering with, damaging, or interfering with public infrastructure and valuable assets.

The police commissioner said protecting important infrastructure is a shared duty. He urged everyone to show patriotism by looking after government and community facilities.

Adewale warned that anyone caught in such acts would face serious consequences. He said, “The public is cautioned against tampering with, damaging or interfering with public infrastructure and other valuable assets.”

The CP also asked residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activities to the police. He stressed that community cooperation is key to stopping the destruction of important infrastructure.

The police assured everyone that they are working hard to catch the escaped suspects and ensure that all involved in the incident are brought to justice.