Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
OPERATIVES of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), attached to the office of the Nigeria Police Force Inspector-General of Police in Abuja, have arrested the President-General of Oviri-Olomu Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Engr. Peter Teme Arumala, over his alleged involvement in the vandalisation and theft of the 16-inch South Forcados Oil Delivery Pipeline owned by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).
The arrest, it was gathered, followed a petition written in 2019 to the Inspector-General of Police over the alleged destruction of the pipeline, which traverses 35.293 hectares of land in Oviri-Olomu Community.
Arumala was reportedly apprehended on Monday, February 9, 2026, at a court premises in Orerokpe, Okpe Local Government Area, where he had gone in connection with another matter.
He was initially taken to the Orerokpe Police Division, later moved to Ovwian Division, and subsequently transferred to Abuja for further investigation and possible prosecution.
He is currently in police custody in the Federal Capital Territory.
Police sources further disclosed that a manhunt has been launched for 11 other suspects said to be members of the community’s executive, who have allegedly gone into hiding within and outside the community to evade arrest.
Confirming the development at a press conference in Udu Local Government Area, Chief Peter A. Edariese, a community leader and immediate past Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), said the arrest stemmed from a petition he submitted to the police authorities over the alleged vandalisation.
According to Edariese, the suspect is currently being held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja in connection with the alleged sabotage of the pipeline, which transports crude oil from Ughelli South axis towards the Forcados export terminal.
He commended the FCID team, reportedly led by CSP Banabas Adi, for pursuing the matter and urged the police to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.
“They deserve commendation. I encourage them to ensure that investigations are comprehensive so that all those involved, both within the community and beyond, are arrested and made to face the law,” he said.
Providing further background, Edariese alleged that the pipeline was laid on land acquired by SPDC in 1974 and claimed that the community had not received compensation or royalties for the acquisition.
He also spoke of longstanding internal disputes within the community over oil benefits and compensation arising from exploration activities dating back to the 1990s.
He alleged that in 2019, certain individuals took advantage of the suspension of production activities in the area to vandalise the pipeline.
“When the incident occurred, I wrote to Shell and various formations of the Nigerian Police, including the office of the Inspector-General of Police. The FCID has now taken up the matter and is working to unravel the alleged criminal activities against the community and the nation,” he stated.
Edariese named other individuals allegedly connected to the incident, including Chief Victor Onadiemor, Chief Austin Etata, Chief Johnson Akaruaye Ewenede, Mr Sunday Okreghe, Pastor Israel Azagba, Mr Ejiro Ekpoko, Chief Friday Samuel Akporehe, Chief Jones O. Ipoko, Mr Paul Ogbevire Iyeta, Mr David Akpe and Mr Ojite Alfred.
Also speaking, the current Delta State Secretary of CDHR, Comrade Omavuaye Amrevuawho, corroborated Edariese’s position and appealed to the FCID to remain unbiased in its investigations, stressing that anyone found culpable should be made to face the full weight of the law.
As at the time of filing this report, neither SPDC nor the police authorities had issued an official statement on the matter.
Investigations are ongoing.
