The Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Pipeline Vandalism yesterday said it had apprehended no fewer than 33 suspected vandals and recovered 330,000 litres of fuel. The fuel was siphoned from pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and was loaded in 10 trucks. Commander of the task force, CSP Valentine Olumese, said while handing over the recovered petroleum product to officials of the NNPC, that the arrest and recovery were made within the last two months at various locations.
He said: “We are adopting advanced and effective techniques in ensuring that pipeline vandalism is brought to its kneels without loss of life. This strategy is paying off immensely and it aimed at discouraging the vandals. “With the number of arrest and recoveries made so far, with no bloody confrontations, it is a proof that police are winning the war. I want to assure members of the public that we are not going to relent in our efforts. We also want to ensure that those arrested face the full wrath of the law. As I speak, all the suspects have been arraigned in court and currently remanded in prison.”
The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the NNPC, Imodagde Nasir, who confirmed the receipt of the recovered product, said that returning of stolen products was an ongoing process between the NNPC and the security agents.
Nasir added that the recovered product would be returned to the system for decanting. According to him, PPMC has received over 80,000 litres and expecting more. He said: “This is not the first time we are receiving stolen petroleum products from security agencies.
A few months ago, the Nigerian Navy made huge recoveries from Majidun, Ikorodu and they handed over the products to us. We have returned them into the system for decanting. We all have collective roles to play in the fight against pipeline vandalism.” Nasir said that aside stealing of petroleum products, the act of vandalism had an enormous ecological effect on Nigeria. He added: “All Nigerians must see it as duty to protect their environment by assisting the security agents in fighting pipeline vandalism.”
