The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three suspects linked to the vandalism of an oil pipeline and operation of an illegal refinery in the Nwanko, Ukwa Local Government Area, Abia State.

The operation was carried out by the NSCDC Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’S SIS), acting on a tip-off.

The operation led to the arrest of Ajagbo Joseph (24) from Isoko North LGA, Delta State; Adoration Ebuka Chucku (26) from Ihiala LGA, Anambra State; and Moses Michael (43) from Ekrimor LGA, Bayelsa State.

A statement signed on Tuesday by NSCDC spokesperson, CSC Babawale Afolabi, said the suspects confessed to the crimes and attributed their actions to economic hardship.

The commander of the squad, Appolos Dandaura, said further details will emerge as investigation progresses.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects include several iron plates extracted from drums intended for constructing local cooking ovens, a power generating set, an inverter welding machine, a welding filing machine, large quantities of stolen crude oil, jerrycans, buckets, hoses, metal pipes, shovels, and welding electrolytes.

“At the end of our investigation, the suspects would have their time in the court of competent jurisdiction even as the Corps’has avowed to clamp down on economic saboteurs across the board,” Afolabi said