Naval operatives attached to NNS BEECROFT,
Apapa, Lagos at the early hours of
yesterday,engaged some pipeline vandals who
were siphoning petroleum products from a
vandalised pipeline, in a shoot-out, at Majidun area of Ikorodu. At the end of the shoot-out,five
suspects,among them a nursing mother were
arrested,with the recovery of a total of 126
jerrycans filled with the siphoned products. Also recovered were four boats used by the
suspected vandals. Parading the suspects before newsmen, the
Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Chris
Ezekobe, said the suspects were among
several others who had allegedly converted
Majidun area into a safe haven for their
criminal activities. He explained that the arrest was sequel to an intelligence report received
that vandals were operating in the area
following which a team of naval operatives
mounted surveillance at the area. ”Yesterday morning, at about 2am, the Naval
men stormed the water front at Majidun area
of Ikorodu. The vandals opened fire at the
approaching security men. ”In the exchange of gun fire, some of the
vandals abandoned their already syphoned
products and fled. “ Ezekobe said. During the operation, Ezekobe said it was
observed that the villagers were aiding and
abating the illicit business,informing that plans
were ongoing to carry out raid in the area with a
view to arresting those involved. He further explained that the raid on vandals
which is ongoing was in-line with the Chief of
the Naval Staff zero tolerance to illegal
bunkering and pipe line vandalism. However, it is sad to note that after much
effort is put at arresting these vandals, they
are released the next moment. ”If there was casualty or the damage of
equipment on our side during the operation,
how does one explain the death to the
deceased family or how will one explain
damaged equipment to the authority. We put in
so much only for someone to set them free” he said. However, the suspects denied the
allegation,saying they were only at the scene
for their daily bread. The nursing mother who identified herself as
Elizabeth Akinbotu claimed She was around the
area to fetch fire wood when the operatives
stormed,adding that she was arrested in her
bid to escape in one of the boats. Others identified as Segun Ogunsemore( 22)
and Muni Ogunsemore( 20). Who are brothers
claimed they were only going to check their
fish nets when they were apprehended. Their claim according to Ezekobe would be
determined at the end of preliminary
investigation,evenas he warned vandals to stay
clear of the Command’s juridiction or have
same fate befall them.
Apapa, Lagos at the early hours of
yesterday,engaged some pipeline vandals who
were siphoning petroleum products from a
vandalised pipeline, in a shoot-out, at Majidun area of Ikorodu. At the end of the shoot-out,five
suspects,among them a nursing mother were
arrested,with the recovery of a total of 126
jerrycans filled with the siphoned products. Also recovered were four boats used by the
suspected vandals. Parading the suspects before newsmen, the
Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Chris
Ezekobe, said the suspects were among
several others who had allegedly converted
Majidun area into a safe haven for their
criminal activities. He explained that the arrest was sequel to an intelligence report received
that vandals were operating in the area
following which a team of naval operatives
mounted surveillance at the area. ”Yesterday morning, at about 2am, the Naval
men stormed the water front at Majidun area
of Ikorodu. The vandals opened fire at the
approaching security men. ”In the exchange of gun fire, some of the
vandals abandoned their already syphoned
products and fled. “ Ezekobe said. During the operation, Ezekobe said it was
observed that the villagers were aiding and
abating the illicit business,informing that plans
were ongoing to carry out raid in the area with a
view to arresting those involved. He further explained that the raid on vandals
which is ongoing was in-line with the Chief of
the Naval Staff zero tolerance to illegal
bunkering and pipe line vandalism. However, it is sad to note that after much
effort is put at arresting these vandals, they
are released the next moment. ”If there was casualty or the damage of
equipment on our side during the operation,
how does one explain the death to the
deceased family or how will one explain
damaged equipment to the authority. We put in
so much only for someone to set them free” he said. However, the suspects denied the
allegation,saying they were only at the scene
for their daily bread. The nursing mother who identified herself as
Elizabeth Akinbotu claimed She was around the
area to fetch fire wood when the operatives
stormed,adding that she was arrested in her
bid to escape in one of the boats. Others identified as Segun Ogunsemore( 22)
and Muni Ogunsemore( 20). Who are brothers
claimed they were only going to check their
fish nets when they were apprehended. Their claim according to Ezekobe would be
determined at the end of preliminary
investigation,evenas he warned vandals to stay
clear of the Command’s juridiction or have
same fate befall them.
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