By OKOSUN DENNIS
In line with the mandate to flush out pipeline vandals along Atlas Cove and Mosimi Depot axis, the Joint Task Force, comprising the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army and the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have arrested five vandals and unearthed massive pipeline vandalism at the Wawa area of Arepo.
Following the arrest, the Anti-pipeline Vandalism Joint Task Force (JTF), paraded some pipeline suspects, who vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines at the Wawa area of Arepo.
The operation codenamed Operation Awatse; acting on a tip off, stormed the area and caught them red-handed while trying to cart away the stolen products in three mini-vans and the waste disposal truck belonging to one Ganiu Ventures.
The criminals in order to evade arrest engaged the operatives in a gun battle but were eventually overpowered and arrested five of them while others fled. The suspects were identified as Afeez Isiaka, Nurudeen Fatai, Oladele Godfrey, Ogbonna Agbo and Kayode Ademola.
Other items recovered from them were two Dane guns with 23 live ammunition, 23 vehicles and cars, and nine motorcycles.
The recovered cars were Toyota Camry, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Corolla, Peugeot Wagon, Ford bus, with registration numbers EX 487 ABC, EX 957 GGE, CW 477 LND, DC 556 FST and FKJ 396 XP.
Others are Mercedes Benz bus, Toyota Avalon, Renault bus and Mercedes Benz bus with registration numbers YA 39 AKD,
BD 875 AKD, EPE 954 XA and XC 481 ABC. Also recovered were Toyota Hiace bus, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Volkswagen Transporter, Toyota Camry, with registration numbers SMK 615 XC, MUS 227 DA, GGE 546 DP, XZ 04 GGE and KTU 262 DE respectively.
A Vanagon bus, Peugeot Turbod, Nissan Quest and Mitsubishi SUV with registration numbers AAA 625 XL, SMK 634 BA, FKJ 489 XP, HW 537 AAA, CX 244 LSR, respectively, were also recovered.
Other recovered vehicles were a red Ford bus and Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes 108 CDI and an orange refuse disposal truck, but they had no registration numbers.
The naval component of the task force was led by Captain Chinda Yahaya, Army by Lieutenant Colonel Julius Ogbobe and Land Component Commander, and the anti-pipeline coordinator, Adeboye Adeyinka, an Assistant Commandant, respectively.
The Maritime Component Commander of the JTF, Navy Captain Yahaya, said the mandate of Operation Awatse is to dominate, protect and secure NNPC pipelines from Atlas Cove Terminal to Mosimi Depot.
“Our troops were deployed for patrol on Sunday, January 10, based on intelligence report about the activities of vandals at Wawa area. The patrol team got to the area and on approaching, the vandals opened fire against the troops and this led to an exchange of gunfire between our troops and the vandals.
“We however overwhelmed the vandals and arrested five men with two Dane guns and 23 live cartridges, while others escaped through the forests. In addition, 23 different types of vehicles and nine motorcycles were arrested and several containers filled with stolen products, as well as empty containers were equally secured.”
The Commander 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Bulama Biu, said the army provided support for the operation and thus ensured the success of the exercise.
“There is a renewed vigour in this fight against pipeline vandalism and I can assure you that there will be no hiding place for these vandals.”
Also, the Commandant NSCDC Lagos State Command, Gabriel Abafi said, “It’s a joint task force and we are all working for the same Federal Government. This is one of the things bugging the economy of the country and as this is done, investigation and prosecution will commence immediately.”