Joy Anyim
Following the December 18, 2018, fire outbreak at Isapako Awori in Abule-Egba area of Lagos State, the police said six suspected pipeline vandals had been arrested in connection with the incident.
Recall that the fire outbreak which was as a result of the activities of the vandals in the area had destroyed over 100 houses, 77 vehicles worth millions of Naira, amongst other valuables.
The suspects, Rasak Oyakunle, Abdulazeez Agbola, Akin Ayansola, Kazeem, Adedipe Dauda and Saheed Isiola had ruptured an NNPC Pipeline in their bid to siphon Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the broken pipe.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Imohimi Edgal, who paraded the suspects at the Command Headquarters, in Ikeja, on Tuesday, said the suspects had been in the business for many years.
“Based on the development, operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, were detailed to investigate the incident and ensure the arrest of those behind the crime.
“The operatives mobilised to the scene, picked up some pieces of evidence for analysis which led to the arrest of Oyakunle.
“During interrogation, he confessed committing the crime. He further revealed that he owns an electric generator repairing workshop situated right on the spot where the ruptured pipeline was laid.
“He said that the location of the workshop on the petroleum pipeline was to enable them siphon fuel undetected. His other four partners in the business. They are all currently in our custody.
“ Also arrested was one Dauda Ewenla who was on police wanted list as a result of the incident.
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“The gang has been in the business of stealing petroleum product for many years until they met their waterloo on December 18th, 2018.
Similarly, CP Edgal disclosed that on January 15, 2019, at about 2:00a.m, the Command received information from a credible source that some vandals were sighted digging and cutting electricity cable that supplies street light around White sand area, Orile Iganmu Lagos.
It was gathered that based on the information, FSARS operatives attached to Ijora Badia Base, swiftly mobilised to the scene and arrested, Mohammed Yusuf, Mohammed Babakur, Abu Zenou, Abdullahi Abba, Awam Abubakar, Nurudeen Ogunseye, Azeez Olayinka, Abdulrahman Momoh, Mohammed Kabiru and Yusuf Mustapha.
The exhibits recovered from the suspects included electricity cable, Knife and a hack saw.
The Commissioner of Police said Suspects would be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.
