Resident Finally Opens Up As Security Agencies Allegedly Vandalise NNPC Pipeline In Lagos

It was brought to notice by the residence of the Akwu-Iwu Street, Ijegun, in the Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area, Lagos that security agencies have been involved in the alleged vandalism of the property of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation pipelines in the area.

In a report by PUNCH Metro, it was revealed that the activities of the bunker have sent fear across those living in that locality, thou they’ve been several petition and report by the resident of the community they’ve not been any intervention from and by the government.

A resident, Nurudeen Shuaibu, while speaking with Newsmen revealed that the community are at risk of explosion, also revealed that the back up of the security agencies that have contributed to the continued activities of the bunkers in the state.

He said, “Our last experience was dreadful because the pipeline that was ruptured by those people was not properly covered after they were done, and it caused serious spillage that created panic in the community. In fact, the Lagos State Fire Service and the police had to intervene. This is the second time that their operations would put us in serious danger.

“The vandals usually come at midnight with many tankers, and they puncture the NNPC pipelines and scoop fuel to fill up to eight tankers. Whenever they come, they are accompanied by policemen and soldiers, who are heavily armed.

Why I believe that top security officers are part of the deal is because we have faced near explosion on two occasions. The security agents were aware and in the end, nothing was done about them. The Area Commander, Area M Police Command, was on ground and the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Isheri-Osun Police Station also came. They did not do anything.”

Another resident, Chukwuemeka Isreal, who expressed concern over the activities of the vandals, appealed to the Igando-Ikotun LCDA to mount a gate at the entrance of the community to prevent the vandals from entering the community.

The Enugu State indigene said, “We know we cannot stop these vandals, but our fear is that any mistake can cause an explosion that will burn down the whole area and we don’t want our lives and property destroyed. We believe that high profile people are involved because the vandals usually come relaxed.

“We have discovered that other streets experiencing this same problem mounted gates to prevent the vandals from gaining access through their streets. So, wherever a gate is, the vandals move to another street. It is based on this that we want the government to help us mount a gate.”

A 68-year-old resident, Victoria Amesimaka, said whenever the vandals were breaking the pipelines, the community is filled with the smell of crude oil.

“We have children and aged people in this community. If there is a fire incident, how will they run for their lives? I am pleading with the government to come to our aid by providing us a gate; we don’t want any disaster,” she said. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana had yet to respond to enquiries on the incident as of press time.

The telephone line of the NNPC Group General Manager, Public Affairs Division, Ndu Ughamadu, rang out many times. He had yet to respond to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

PUNCH News