Four Americans, Nigerian arrested for espionage

Sylvester Idowu, Warri - 13.04.2008

Security operatives attached to the Joint Task Force code-named Operation Restore Hope on Saturday evening arrested four American nationals and a Nigerian for alleged espionage.

The suspects were arrested while on a journey to one of the creeks of Sapele in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State by vigilant security operatives attached to the area.

Sunday Tribune however learnt that the Nigerian runs a non governmental agency known as Niger Delta Professionals for Development and was said to be taking the foreigners on tour of the creeks to attract investment to the state.

But Security Sources revealed that the security operatives were stunned with the some of the equipments seen with the foreigners and their inability to give a definite defence of them.

It was learnt that immediately the arrests were made, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Aziz Owoeye ordered that the suspects be moved to Abuja.

Arrangements were being made last night as at the time of this report with heavy security mounted at the headquarters of the Joint Task Force under the supervision of the Commander, Brigadier General Wuyep Rimtip.

There was tension in the Delta State following the news of the arrest of the Americans because of the huge amount of money being spent by the government to ensure adequate security in the state.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Oma Djebah, who initially promised to issue a press statement on the matter failed to keep his promises apparently due to his poor knowledge about the latest event in the state.

General Rimtip told Sunday Tribune on telephone that his men suspected the suspects principally because of the sophistication of the gadgets in their possession.

The commander added that the arrest of the suspects became imperative because they were found at suspicious location in the Niger Delta without due authorisation of the security and appropriate government agencies in the area.

He said, “The JTF operatives arrested four Americans and a Nigerian in Sapele because of the gadgets in their possession which raised suspicion of ulterior motives. The expatriates and their host also violated our rules that require them to seek clearance and protection from the JTF before they ventured into the creeks.

We have a report that the militants were planning to kidnap 25 expatriates in Delta State and these people could unwittingly offer themselves as victims. We are moving them immediately to Abuja on the order of our headquarters.”