Pipeline vandals were apprehended with N5 million in stolen fuel.

Pipeline vandals were apprehended with N5 million in stolen fuel.

vandalism

Pipeline vandals were apprehended with N5 million in stolen fuel.

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NewsReport gathered that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps intercepted 29,750 litres of fuel hidden in drums from suspected pipeline vandals near Oniru beach in the state.

The suspects were reportedly attempting to smuggle the alleged stolen fuel into the Benin Republic via the high seas when they were apprehended in a large boat by the corps’ marine and anti-vandal team around 2 a.m. on Friday.

The operatives allegedly recovered 119 drums containing 250 litres of petrol, two pumping machines, and five suspects.

Olumide Abolurin, the state NSCDC spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday that the arrest was the result of a renewed effort by the command following a recent meeting with the corps’ Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar.

He said, “Following this renewed alertness, the marine and anti-vandal team of the command, who were on routine surveillance and patrol, today, Friday, December 24, 2021, intercepted some suspected vandals who were engaging in what was suspected to be an organised cross-border smuggling activity of petroleum products from Nigeria to the Benin Republic on the high sea, at the Oniru beach of Lagos State.

“The head of the anti-vandal unit of the command, Adegbayibi Adebayo, an Assistant Commandant of Corps, who led the operation, further stated that five suspected vandals namely: Israel Oluwayemi, 35; Issa Quadri, 49; Matthew Ayobami, 29; Altra Suwesa, 40 and Adedoyin Elikena, 52, were arrested during the operation.

“A big boat, 119 drums loaded with suspected vandalised premium motor spirit, 38 empty drums, two pumping machines and one 60hp engine were recovered.”

Abolurin further told our correspondent that the fuel-laden drums totalled 29,750 litres, noting the product was “estimated at over N5m.”

He added, “The commandant (Eweka Okoro), has immediately ordered the intelligence department of the command to commence adequate investigation on the matter and the anti-vandal unit to immediately commence the evacuation of the suspected product and the recovered items back to the Lagos State Command headquarters in Alausa in a bid to carry out further investigation on the matter and find a lasting solution to such ugly economic sabotage in the area.”