20 May 2016, Lagos – The Nigerian Navy in Lagos on Friday handed over four suspected pipeline vandals with 218 jerry cans filled with petroleum products to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), for investigation.
The Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Abraham Adaji, who handed over the suspects to the corps, said that they were arrested at the Suntan Beach in Igbologun Community in Badagry, Lagos State.
‘The suspects were arrested with 218 jerry cans of 25litres each of petrol by the soldiers of the 9th Brigade of the Nigerian Army attached to the OP-MESA, following a tip-off.
“The vandals were arrested on May 10 along Badagry waterways for illegally dealing in petroleum products suspected to have been scooped from vandalised pipeline,” he said.
Adaji told journalists that the Nigerian Navy was responsible for maritime security including areas of pipeline protection and vandalism, but added that prosecution could not be carried out without the NSCDC.
“We have always been working hand-in-hand with the NSCDC and other prosecuting agency for the prosecution of people that were arrested in the cause of vandalism of pipelines,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the names of the suspects are; Francis Agbaje, 20, Erum Jack, 24, Mathew Apaton, 23 and John Honfo, 24.
In a related development, the Nigerian Navy would in a few days to come inaugurate a Tug boat that was built locally by the Naval Shipyard in Port Harcourt.
The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Fergusson Bobai, said that the Tug boat would be inaugurated as part of the activities marking the diamond jubilee of the navy.
- NAN
