BEVERLY HILLS, January 25, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government on Monday discovered an illegal bunkering site at Robert – Victor village, popularly called “Idi Mango” on the outskirt of Lagos, where petroleum products were allegedly being stolen.
Eight suspected vandals, three Nigerians, three Ghanaians, one Togolese and Beninese were arrested at the scene by the private pipeline surveillance security saddled by Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) to monitor and patrol pipelines.
Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum resources, expressed shock during his visit to the place, saying what we saw was very frustrating.
“We hope that those apprehended will soon be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent for others to desist from these nefarious activities. It has sent big signals in terms of the battles we are facing. The more programme and model brought to curb pipelines vandals, the better technology often deployed by vandals,” the minister said.
The minister added that the activity of vandals in the community led to massive product siphoning from the network, which range to about 200 to 300 trucks, saying that the product siphoned was being exported to neighbouring countries of Ghana, Togo and Benin.
“We are going back to the office to design another method in addressing such vandalism in the country. The oil theft vandals were discovered with the help of the security contractors and PPMC personalities.
“A lot more effort will be deployed to secure the pipeline; the solution is long-term solution to address the challenges,” he said.
Aminu Joshua, a leader of the pipelines surveillance group, appealed to government for more support to track down more vandals.
Joshua said oil theft had been the major occupation of the community, adding that over 15,000 jerry cans were seized while about 1,000 jerry cans were full with petrol.
He urged government to appeal to the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps to desist from threatening his boys.
“We need more support from government to unveil more illegal oil theft and pipeline vandals.’’
Confiscated from the vandals were 20 vehicles, with over thousands of jerry cans filled with petroleum products, equipment and several generators.
The suspected vandals have been taken into custody at the Nigerian Naval Base, Western Command, Apapa, and are awaiting further interrogation.
Story by David Oputah
