Officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested eight suspected pipeline vandals in parts of Lagos State. Two of the vandals were arrested at Elepete area of Ikorodu while six others were apprehended on the high sea across the border of Republic of Benin.
The suspects are identified as Ademuyiwa Eniafe (29), Abayo Adeolu (39), Suru Hunpevi (30), Massel Hungbo (25) and Mark Huntonji (22). Others are Emmanuel Somoten (18), Joseph Gbehan (21) and Gbenonu Jonas (29).
The NSCDC Commandant, Tajudeen Balogun, who briefed journalists yesterday at the state Command Headquarters, Alausa, said two of the suspects with 53 drums of 50 litres of fuel were arrested on Sunday at Itaoluwo area of Ikorodu. The commandant added that six others were held with 53 drums of 150 litres of diesel at Badagry while going to Cotonou, republic of Benin on the sea.
He said: “The bus conveying the suspects when intercepted by our men was filled with 53 drums of PMS. We will continue our investigation to determine if they belong to a syndicate of pipeline vandals. We are going to get to the bottom of the matter, then they will be charged to court.
As far as the command is concerned, we will do our job the way it is supposed to be done.” Balogun added that others were arrested at Ikogberefu area of Badagry in a canoe transporting diesel across the border to the Republic of Benin. But one of the suspects, Eniafe, said he knew nothing about the fuel. According to him, he only requested for a lift before he was arrested.
He said: “I was returning from my friend’s house when I saw Adeolu and I told him to assist me with a ride. He accepted. I did not know his vehicle was filled with petrol. When I asked who the owner was, he pointed to a woman on a motorcycle in front of us. But when the woman noticed someone was sitting beside Adeolu she came down from the motorcycle and beamed a torch at me. When she saw she knew me, she pleaded with me to follow the driver to their destination.
