The operatives of the Inspector General of
Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit, Lagos Command,
yesterday foiled plans by pipeline vandals to steal PMS from the NNPC pipeline
along Ikate-Akute axis, in Ojodu, Ogun state. Acting on a tip-off the operatives led by the Lagos Sector
Commander, DSP Samson Olawoyin, stormed the scene, engaged the suspects in a
gun duel and arrested one Abbey Daniel.
Although other suspects numbering about 10 fled to evade
arrest, the taskforce were able to recover some of the abandoned equipment
including five speed boats containing about 4000 empty 50litters gallon, with
which they planned to carry the stolen products.
Confirming the arrest, the officer-in-charge of the
taskforce, Friday Ibadin, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said they got
the tip off that vandals were at the
Ikate Akute axis of NNPC right of way at about 1am.
He said, "Based on the tip off that vandals had resumed
their activities along Ikate Akute , Ojudu, Ogun state on an NNPC pipeline, we
cordoned off the area.
"When the vandals realised they were surrounded, they
opened fire but later absconded when they realised that their game was up.
"There have been several attempts in recent times by
vandals to operate but our men who are always on ground have stopped them
because we are quite aware that these vandals will capitalise on the
desperation of Nigerians in search of fuel."
The suspect however said they only attempted to assist
stranded persons who desire to buy fuel but cannot because of the fuel
scarcity.
He said, "We got a tip off from our informant who told
us that NNPC was pumping fuel through that line and since there is high demand
for fuel in Lagos and the buyers are paying good money especially operators of
petrol stations, we struck.
"Unfortunately, I was not armed and also cannot swim,
so i opted to hide in the bush. I had almost gotten away with it when the
police arrested me."
Ibadin said the taskforce has set out to fortify pipelines
especially in the light of the difficulties in buying petroleum products
recently.
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