Suspected hoodlums have killed two guards working for Topline Security, a Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC’s) contractor, which protects pipelines.
The Nation learnt that the incident occurred during a clash with indigenes at Ilashe, a Lagos riverine community.
The deceased, Bello Williams and Oluwasegun Olusanya, were reportedly killed with machetes last Wednesday and their bodies dumped in shallow graves on the island.
It was gathered that the guards had been at loggerheads with the residents, who accused them of brutality, vandalism and sexual assault.
The Nation last month reported a near-death experience in the hands of the guards, who had threatened to shoot at jerry cans laden with petrol to cause explosion than allow naval operatives recover them.
Following that incident, it was learnt that the guards accused the locals of informing naval operatives, who came for an on-the-spot assessment, leading to violence.
The Nation gathered that some of the guards were killed and others abducted during a similar clash weeks ago.
But Topline Security at the weekend accused the Navy of killing the deceased and kidnapping two others, Abayomi Ojugbele and Benedict Orme, who they said, sustained gunshot injuries.
It was learnt that the firm’s coordinator, Chief Joshua Aminu, at a media briefing, said the incident occurred around 3:30pm on July 11.
Aminu, it was gathered, alleged that a naval officer, Aminu Goni, led a team, which stormed the island in two speed boats and shot Topline Security guards, who were at their duty post.
He said he tried to contact the officer when he was informed of the invasion, but could not get him on the phone, adding that Goni later contacted him and said there was a misunderstanding between naval operatives and Topline Security guards.
Aminu said the guards would no longer work unless they were allowed to resume bearing arms.
He said: “If we must continue our job of protecting pipelines, we must be allowed to protect ourselves by carrying light arms. We do not have any ulterior motive, we are only concerned and doing our best to protect our national interest by safeguarding petroleum pipelines.
“Goni later called and told me that a misunderstanding broke out between his personnel and my men. I said he should rescue my men. Goni assured me that the situation was under control and that he would take my men to hospital. He said it was a mistake.
“I called him later in the evening and he said my men were responding to treatment. I requested to visit them, but he said they would be discharged the next day and that there was no need.
“I called Goni again that evening and asked if the incident was truly a mistake because based on what I had seen, naval personnel shot at the windscreen and one of the bullets went through the driver’s seat.
“I told him how his men punctured the four tyres of the patrol vehicle. Goni said I should not worry. That he was coming to see me and we would settle the matter.
“I became angry and called NNPC to inform them that I was not working again. I also called Topline management in Abuja to inform them of the development. Goni did not know that I have investigated and found out that he led the naval team that perpetrated the act.”
On how the bodies were discovered, Aminu said he went round with his men the following morning to ascertain the level of damage, adding that the bodies had machete cuts and were dumped in a hole in a tent.
“I called Goni to inform him of what I had seen. I had to put it straight to him that based on my findings; Navy personnel had killed two of my men. He denied it, saying my men were with him in the hospital. I told him I have seen their bodies. He said that was not possible, adding that he would come to see things.
“I also called the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) in charge of Western Naval Command, Lagos, Sylvanus Abbah and told him what had happened and that the perpetrator had promised a comeback. I reminded him of the agreement the Navy had made to protect us while we discharge our duties.
“To confirm my report, Abbah sent some of his officers to see things. They came, walked round the scene and concluded that the boys would have been involved in pipeline vandalism and met their waterloo.
“This angered my men, so I informed the police of the murder. They came, brought out the bodies and it was discovered that they were killed with machetes. They had machete wounds all over them,” he told reporters.
Abbah denied the allegations that the deceased were killed by his men.
He said: “The persons killed were killed with machetes. What will the Navy be doing with machetes? The fact is that these so-called guards engage in crimes. They claim they have not been paid for 15 months and they are still working, why? Because they are siphoning fuel. They are even defiling women in the villages and committing atrocities.
“Two of their men are with us at the Navy hospital because we want to use them as evidence.
“We met the management of Topline Security in Abuja and it was resolved that no arms should be carried by their operatives again.
“So, if they are saying they want to carry arms, such arms should be licensed by the police.”
Police spokesman Chike Oti said the matter was being investigated, adding that 15 suspects had been arrested.
He said: “The killing of two Topline guards in the riverine community of Ilado Odo is being investigated by the command. Fifteen people have been arrested and are helping the police in their investigation.”