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| NSCDC |
The Operatives of the National Security and Civic Defence Corps,
(NSCDC) on Friday uncovered a illegal fuel bunkering activities at a boundary
between Mosan Okunola and Agbado/ Oke Odo Local Council Development Areas of
Alimosho, Lagos state.
The suspected vandals had fled before the arrival of the NSCDS’s
team, but the agents recovered some of their tools including long pipes
and hose with which fuel is scooped from the vandalised pipeline.
The operatives, however arrested a security officer, Sam
Benedict, who was in charge of the toll collection of a makeshift bridge
constructed across the river linking the neighbouring communities.
Sam, who denied knowledge of the illicit operation said he was
employed by his boss for toll collection ranging from N20 to N200 from
pedestrians and motorists.
He added that the business was
solely run by his boss who is a lawyer.
Our correspondent observed a
couple of tankers parked along some streets leading to the river bank, while no
petrol station was sighted in the area.
At the scene, some chairs and empty soft drink containers were
seen on the path leading to the vandalized pipeline. The items, according to
the NSCDC operatives indicate regular activities in the creek.
The commandant, however, vowed to investigate those behind the
operation, noting that appropriate sanctions would be meted on the culprits.
He urged residents of the
community to desist from backing criminals involved in vandalism, warning that
such could lead to unexpected jeopardy.
Balogun said: “We got an
intelligence report from our division here that something fishy was going on in
this area and I am here to confirm it. What we have seen is a petroleum
pipeline has been vandalised and normally our own duty is to confirm and get
across to the appropriate authorities. In this instance, NNPC should come over
immediately to seal it up so that our national asset will not be disturbed
by wastage, sabotage and miscreants.
“We are still extending our
investigations to know the perpetrators of this act because that thing did not
just happen. Somebody worked on that pipeline to drill it with the intention of
siphoning petrol which is economic sabotage. Our own intelligence group will
sniff around to see if there are some collaborators within the community, who
are aiding and abetting illegality and will work with the appropriate
authorities to see how we can stop this from happening.”
Continuing, he said: “We are
working in conjunction with the Lagos state government to clear all the creeks
so that doing anything under darkness will not be allowed. We appeal to the
communities around here, residents who live here permanently that there is no
need to be selfish and supporting criminal to do this kind of act.”
The corps also called the
attention of the government to the recent leakages of NNPC pipelines,
following the discovery of another fuel well at a school on 2, Taiwo Aina
Street.
The commandant emphasized the
need for the NNPC to proactively tackle the challenge with proactive measures,
noting that the inherent hazards were beyond economic sabotage.
The well, he said, currently
poses danger to toddlers who often use the school premises.
“The most important thing is
that right now, to avoid a disaster which could be manmade, because when petrol
is usually in a place like that, and there is fire, you can imagine what will
be the case. To make matters worse, this is the premises of a school. We have
little children here,” he added.
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