The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Arepo

  • Repair work begins at Arepo

    Repair work begins at Arepo

    The Ogun State government has begun palliative work on bad portions at the Arepo stretch of the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

    Speaking during an inspection tour of the work carried out by the Ministry of Works yesterday, Governor Ibikunle Amosun said: “There are no federal people. The people plying this road and other affected federal roads within our axis are our people.

    “We are all Nigerians and we are collaborating with the Federal Government to contribute our quota to ensure that this road is fixed.”

    The governor, who was accompanied by Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga, his wife, Olufunso,  and members of the executive council, assured that the bad portions would be fixed in three days.

    He said this became necessary because religious institutions do hold their monthly programmes that often attract millions of worshippers.

    Amosun added that the situation had received the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said would ensure that work begins after the rainy season.

    The governor added that the government decided to carry out the repairs to ease travellers’ suffering.

    Amosun said his administration carried out such rehabilitation on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Old Abeokuta Expressway, Sagamu-Ogijo Road and other federal roads within the state.

    “Ogun State is strategically located in such a way that goods and passengers going to all other parts of the country have to pass through the state.

    “This is coupled with the presence of many religious camp sites that also draw large congregations.

    “The pressure on the roads would not have been much if the nation’s rail system was functional.

    “We are putting in place palliative measures to make the road passable within three weeks and we are not only working on this road.”

  • ‘Corrupt, rich Nigerians behind Arepo pipeline vandalisation’

    ‘Corrupt, rich Nigerians behind Arepo pipeline vandalisation’

    Researchers at the Criminology unit, Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan have found that rich Nigerians are sponsoring oil pipeline vandalisation at Arepo community, Ogun State.

    In a research report titled “Social organisation of Oil pipeline Vandalism in Arepo Community, Ogun State” by Dr Oludayo Tade and Ayodele Austin, the researchers urged the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to probe the complicity of its men posted to work at Arepo for allegedly working with money bags, corrupt government officials to aid pipeline vandalisation.

    The researchers advocated the deployment of technology surveillance, such as motion and flow detectors, to check corrupt practices and vandalism as well as equip security agencies with state-of-art weapons, bullet proof, vehicles and gun boats.

    According to the duo, pipeline vandalism in Arepo involved active collaboration of security agencies in general and in particular the police, senior staff at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), who have corruptly enriched themselves at the expense of the nation.

    “There is also politics in the anti-vandalism campaign. How do you expect security agents to face well equipped vandal when our security agents do not have bullet proof jackets, helmet, let alone vehicle and other incentives?

  • Arepo again!

    Arepo again!

    The pipeline vandals must be stopped before the place escalates to a state within a state

    Barely six weeks after the contract for the protection of pipelines at the Arepo area of Ogun State awarded by the Goodluck Jonathan administration to men of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) was terminated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), a major fire incident erupted, following a clash between two rival gangs whose members stormed the corporation’s facility in the area to scoop fuel on July 22. Many of them were said to have been killed in the fire that erupted in System 2B pipeline. The NNPC subsequently cut off supplies to the affected pipelines.

    Arepo, Ogun State, has become notorious more for the activities of pipeline vandals that continue to ply their illegal trade there than for the peaceful settlement that it is supposed to be. Indeed, the activities of the vandals have continued to cause nightmares to residents there, some of whom had died in cross-fires between the vandals and security men.

    A similar fire incident occurred barely a month ago when vandals struck in the area, and another incident about six weeks ago when vandals ambushed and shot, in cold blood, five policemen deployed to secure the area. In September 2012, vandals killed three members of staff of NNPC who were sent to repair vandalised pipes there. Between September 2012 and April 2013, about four incidents of vandalism occurred in Arepo,  claiming several lives.

    The question now is: who is responsible for protecting the area after the pipeline security contract awarded to the OPC was terminated? Obviously no one appeared to be in charge and the vandals simply had a field day, given reports after the fire incident. Two examples buttress this point. One, rescuers reportedly had problems getting to the scene not only because of the raging fire, but also because of fear of attack by the vandals. Secondly, two photojournalists who went there to cover the incident were abducted by the vandals who mistook them for security agents. They were brutalised and merely escaped death by the whiskers. We do not know if there were others that were not that lucky.

    This impunity should not continue. The country cannot keep tolerating the existence of a state within a state. Why should hoodlums keep holding the country to ransom? How could the nation have been living with so many fires in the same place without the authorities seeking a permanent solution to the problem? Part of the reasons though is the government’s unseriousness. For instance, rather than see the problem for the security challenge that it is, the Jonathan presidency turned it into ‘job for the boys’ by putting the security of the pipelines in the hands of ethnic militias.

    Fuel pipelines are national assets and should be so treated by the government. Arepo has become a haven for pipeline vandals apparently because the illicit trade has been found to be lucrative by those involved in it. Yet, the nation loses whenever the vandals smile to the banks. But the situation in Arepo merely reflects the shoddy handling of the country’s cash cow, the oil sector.

    These impunities and corruption must stop now that there is a new government in place. The country cannot continue to bleed from all angles. So, the Buhari administration must give the marching orders to the relevant agencies to wake up to their responsibilities. Technology has made surveillance of such critical infrastructure like the pipelines easier. So, why is it not possible for the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) to take advantage of this to monitor activities in the pipeline corridors?

    In addition, the government must be ready to arm the relevant security agents with the sophisticated weapons befitting of their assignment. Yes, the vandals are usually well armed; they cannot be seen to overwhelm the state which naturally should be in control of the instruments of coercion.

  • Arepo is another republic

    Arepo, a strip of marshy land bordering Ogun and Lagos States is fast becoming the venue of regular man-made disasters. This last week, an estimated 100 persons perished in an inferno caused by a clash between two gangs of petroleum pipeline vandals.

    It is also a symbol of how the authorities are fast losing control over vast strips of Nigerian territory to anarchists and criminals. The example of Boko Haram is well established. But much of what they terrorise are areas in the middle of nowhere.

    The Arepo neighbourhood, on the other hand, is smack in the urban environment as you approach Lagos from Ibadan. It is a location in which several middle class estates are sprouting. But its curse is that an NNPC pipeline traverses it.

    On numerous occasions, the pipeline has been vandalized, leading to mass casualties. Government officials would pay visits for photo-opportunities, only for criminal gangs to return once repairs have been done and pumping of refined petroleum products resumed.

    In the latest disaster, scores were killed. Amazingly, for a long period of time neither the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) nor National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other agencies could access the site of the accident. However, heavily-armed vandals were roaming freely and almost murdered two photojournalists who strayed into their path.

    Arepo captures the recurring headache of securing pipelines that run through vast unpopulated territories. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has proved largely ineffective and the other security agencies either have other distractions, or are not enthusiastic about the assignment.

    Jonathan thought the way out was to hand the job to ethnic militias in exchange for billions of naira in payouts. In the Niger Delta, many who were favoured with the contracts were those who formerly used to destroy these same pipelines. In other words Nigeria was paying protection money to thugs so that the supply chain won’t be disrupted.

    Gani Adams of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) – a beneficiary of the short-lived contract confirmed this theory – in his reaction to the Arepo attack. He suggested that in the few months his group executed the contract, vandalisation stopped. He blames the resurgence on Buhari’s refusal to continue with Jonathan’s arrangement.

    Adams perhaps doesn’t remember that long before Jonathan made him a potential billionaire security guard, Arepo was the scene of a terrible inferno that claimed the lives of scores of opportunists who gathered to scoop fuel from the ruptured pipeline. In 2012, three NNPC officials who came to fix a damaged line were killed.

    Down in Delta State, some so-called ‘militant’ group that goes by the name ‘Urhobo Gbagbako’ last week blew up pipelines belonging to the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) at Ighwrenene town in Ughelli North Local Government Area.

    Indigenes say the group damaged the facility to protest government’s refusal to hire its members to provide surveillance services over all the pipelines in their territory.

    What is now happening is that in certain parts of the country people feel the country owes them a living, and that the best way to attract attention is by destroying infrastructure. But paying protection money by whatever name is not the answer.

    Whenever a government gets into these funny arrangements, it passes a vote of no-confidence on its security forces and equally indicts itself. A regime that will abdicate responsibility of securing territory and infrastructure no longer qualifies to be called a government.

    The new Nigeria that Buhari wants to build – we’ve been told by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo – rests on the rule of law. We can begin to put the building blocks in place by empowering our security forces to take back territory that have been seized by rampaging marauders. Our leaders cannot be comfortable in Abuja while hoodlums claim sovereignty over places like Arepo.

  • Saraki decries needless deaths in Arepo explosion

    Saraki decries needless deaths in Arepo explosion

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday decried what he called unnecessary loss of human lives in the petroleum pipeline fire incident at Arepo, Ogun State.

    He expressed shock that over 100 people were roasted beyond recognition due to the activities of oil pipeline vandals.

    Saraki was irked that corpses of victims could not be immediately evacuated by relevant agencies owing to inaccessible terrain.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, he said: “The incident saddens me because I realise that these are Nigerians who have met their untimely deaths in such gruesome circumstances.

    “I must say that the fire incident in that area was one too many at a time one would have thought that we have put issues of pipeline vandalism blamed for the fire incident, behind us.”

    The Senate President also urged Nigerians to be wary of scooping fuel from busted pipelines, saying it was capable of causing unimaginable calamity to lives and colossal economic waste.

    He assured the federal government would continue to enjoy the support of the National Assembly in all its current efforts aimed at securing the lives and property of Nigerians.

    Saraki called on the joint task security teams to urgently secure all national assets across the nation and equally ensure that bodies yet to be retrieved from the Arepo inferno are immediately evacuated.

  • Scores feared dead in Arepo pipeline fire

    Scores feared dead in Arepo pipeline fire

    Scores were yesterday feared dead at an oil facility at Arepo, Ogun State.

    They died in the System 2B pipeline fire that erupted from a clash of two rival gangs, whose members stormed the facility to scoop product from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    It was gathered that an explosion occurred during a gun duel between the rival gangs, who regularly storm the area in boats laden with plastic containers to steal petrol.

    The victims were said to have been burnt beyond recognition in the inferno, which occurred after midnight on Tuesday.

    The owners of the facility, the Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a NNPC subsidiary, said it had cut off supplies through the affected pipelines, but the fire was still raging in the swampy area last night.

    Some eyewitnesses said they saw floating bodies on the Majidun River. Others claimed that some bodies were evacuated by security personnel.

    But, PPMC spokeman Nasir Imodagbe said nobody had access to the scene because of the fire.

    A source claimed he sighted five bodies on the river, adding that more may have been removed by security personnel.

    He also confirmed that there were several others burnt beyond recognition.

    The incident came few weeks after the Federal Government stopped the multi-billion naira pipeline protection contract awarded to the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) by the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    System 2B is an important pipeline that transports more than 11 million litres of petrol daily from the Atlas Cove Jetty across the Southwest, spanning some 512 kilometres.

    The pipeline has been a source of attraction to vandals due to its accessibility, despite huge investment by the NNPC to adopt horizontal directional drilling (HDD), that could have buried the pipelines deeper than the previous 1.5-feet installation layout.

    A major attack occurred in Arepo early in the year.

    At the time of filing this report, the actual casualty figure could not be confirmed, as rescuers were yet to gain access into the scene for fear of being killed.

    It was learnt that neither the police nor the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the bodies mandated to protect pipelines, were on duty when the vandals struck.

    A source told The Nation that the security agencies had abandoned their duty posts, adding that emergency workers said they could not enter the canal where the fire was raging for lack of protection.

    Another source identified the victims as the vandals, their relations and those who buy stolen fuel in canoes, buses and tankers.

    Because of the lucrative nature of their activity and the availability of a market, it was learnt, the vandals make between N300, 000 and N2 million daily, depending on their level of involvement.

    Imodagbe told The Nation on phone last night that the fire broke out in the morning and that PPMC had mobilised to put it out after which the damage will be assessed.

    However, he noted that because the Arepo pipeline right-of-way is located in a difficult terrain, it had not been possible to access the point where the pipeline was vandalised. Until we have access to the pipeline, we may not be able to put out the fire but we have cut off fuel supply to the line, he added.

    He said: “We are aware of the Arepo fire but you know it is in a difficult terrain and we have not been able to get access to the scene. We have stopped pumping product to the pipeline to bring down the  level of combustion. We are working with other agencies of the government, including fire-fighters, to get access to the fire point and put out the fire.

    “Currently, we are not able to assess the damage including the casualty figure – if any. It is only when we put out the fire that we will be able to assess the damage, repair the pipeline and resume pumping of product.”

    On measures against vandalism and product theft, Imodagbe said that the police were monitoring the pipeline. He noted that even the Office of the Inspector-General of Police is involved in the policing of the pipeline.

    “Towards the end of past administration, we engaged the services of community security (the Odua Peoples’ Congress).  The community policing contract has just elapsed,” he added.

    Arepo has been a pipeline vandals’ haven for years. In September 2012, vandals killed three members of staff of NNPC who were sent to repair vandalised pipe there. Between September 2012 and April 2013, about four incidents of vandalism occurred there claiming several lives.

    However, another source claimed that the fire broke out after the vandals’ boat developed a fault and went up in flames in the canal.

    The source said: “They said that the guys had finished their business but their boat developed a fault and in the process of fixing it, an explosion occurred. Others were injured but more than a hundred were burnt beyond recognition. We could not recognise them.

    “It is a very sad day for those guys because it is  not just a job where one person is involved. It is like a family business because they introduce their relations to it and even buy jerrycans for them to join.”

    Although rescue workers alleged that the scene is about two kilometres away from residential area and doubted the possibility of innocent citizens being victims, unconfirmed reports claimed that over 100 persons might have died in the mishap.

    An eyewitness said: “We cannot enter that place. No one has been able to gain access into the canal. We do not have security protection and even the security personnel are afraid of their lives.

    “It happened behind the NUJ estate and about two kilometres from the residential area. I think only the vandals are likely victims, since there is no possibility of innocent people going 50metres close to the canal.

    “We cannot enter that place unless we are sure the vandals have removed their casualties, else we may be killed.”

    Police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu said policemen do not work in pipelines. His NSCDC counterpart, Emmanuel Okey, said he had not been briefed on the development.

    Ojukwu said: “I do not know the casualty figure. It is a calamity and we are investigating the cause of the clash as well as the fire.”

    Asked why policemen attached to the pipeline were not on duty, Ojukwu said: “Policemen do not work on pipelines. We are only involved now because of the incident.”

    Also confirming the incident, the Southwest spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, said the vandals’ clash occurred shortly after midnight on Tuesday.

    He said: “An unconfirmed report on a clash between different groups of vandals at Arepo around midnight has led to pipeline explosion.

    “NNPC has been alerted about the explosion and it immediately shut down supplies to suffocate the fire, while the NNPC safety unit is making effort to put out the fire.

    “No one can confirm if there are casualties or any injuries because we have not accessed the place.”

  • Many feared killed as vandals’ clash causes explosion in Arepo

    Many suspected vandals were on Wednesday feared killed after a gun duel between two groups caused pipeline explosion in Arepo, Ogun State.
    The incident which occurred at the wee hours of Wednesday, led to the shutting down of supplies on the pipeline by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
    The incident is coming few weeks after the federal government suspended the contract awarded the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) by the past administration to secure the facility.
    The fire is was learnt, broke out in the canal where the vandals steal petroleum products and spread into the pipelines.
    At the time of filing this report, the actual casualty figure could not be confirmed, as rescue workers were yet to gain access into the scene for fear of being killed.
    It was learnt that neither the Police nor the Niger‎Ian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) responsible for the protection of the facility were on ground.
    A source told The Nation that the security agencies have since absconded their duty there, adding that emergency workers said they cannot enter the canal where the fire was raging because of lack of protection.
    ‎Although rescue workers alleged that the scene is about two kilometres from residential area and doubted the possibility of innocent citizens being victims, unconfirmed reports claimed that over 100 persons might have died in the mishap.

  • Residents oppose plans to install electricity poles in estate

    Residents of an estate in Arepo, Ogun State, have opposed the proposed in installation of high tension poles in the area.

    The Journalists’ Estate Residents’ Development Association (JERDA) said the plan was inimical to environmental, urban and physical planning laws of the state.

    In a petition to the Chief Executive Officer, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, PHCN Zonal Headquarters, Alausa Ikeja, the residents said the action was also against the mandatory set back for high tension cables going through residential areas as stipulated in the state’s building plan regulations.

    They said the minimum setback for power lines shall not be less than 11Kv or 8 metres, 33Kv or 10 metres, 132kv or 15 metres, and 330kv or 50 metres, arguing that the erection of high tension wire in front of the houses would subject the occupants to untold health hazards, including exposure to high level radiation which may cause cancer, infertility due to discharges from high tension wire, electrocution, lung and respiratory related ailments associated with high tension cable installation.

    From preliminary investigation, the initial approval for the project was nowhere near the journalists’ estate. But the contractor handling the project had decided to cut cost and opted for an easy way out by running the cable through a side street adding that such move would bring about environmental hazard not only to the residents but to the entire community

    The residents have therefore appealed to the executive officer to use his good office stop the project and call the contractor handling the project to order by doing the needful, to avoid a breakdown of law and order

    “We appeal to you to halt the execution of this project and direct the contractor to explore alternative routes outside populated areas in view of perceived health and safety hazards to residents. We request that a proper Environmental Impact Assessment of this project be demanded from the developer and the contractor.”

  • 10 ‘vandals’ arrested in Arepo

    Ten suspected pipeline vandals have been arrested in Arepo, Ogun State, by the Police Special Task force on Pipeline Vandalism, Lagos Command.

    Zbatomini Isekpe, Isaac Abejae, Luke Itowu, Towei Terry, Precious Osuwo, Owei Ebiwei, Power Saikemefa, Samson John, Sunday Agbude and Owoduni Ezekiel were seized on their way to “steal” petrol from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline on Elekpete in Ikorodu.

    Eight hundred 50-litre gallons were recovered from them.

    Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Friday Ibadin, who is in-charge of the task force, said: “On Sunday, there were reports that vandals had resumed their activities on the axis. Policemen, led by the Sector Commander, DSP Onaghise Osayande, were sent to the scene and the suspects were arrested with about 800 50-litre gallons.

    “Also recovered were various equipment needed to perfect the nefarious act. They also arrested four others at Abule Oba, who had successfully siphoned petrol in 60 50-litre gallons and were on their way to dispose them.”

    Isekpe said: “I was introduced to the business by a friend, who advised me to relocate to Lagos. I am married with seven children and it is the duty of the government to assist me to give them a better life. I do not understand what my offence is and I know that with a good lawyer, I will be set free.”

    Osuwa said: “I am a professional photographer. I joined them to raise money to buy a good camera.”

     

     

     

  • Four more suspected Arepo pipeline vandals arraigned for murder

    Four more suspected Arepo pipeline vandals arraigned for murder

    The Police yesterday arraigned four more suspected pipeline vandals who allegedly shot and killed three Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) engineers at Arepo in Ogun State last year.

    They were charged with seven counts of vandalism and murder before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

    The defendants – Jigo Jiperende (31), Timi Koro (29), Johnbosco Igbhofose (26) and Peter Opidi (28) pleaded not guilty.

    The four brings the number of those arraigned in connection with the crime to 10, six others having been earlier arraigned in November last year.

    The others are Joel Inerepamu (25), Reuben Oluwole (60), John Isaiah (28), Ineye Okposa (40), Timi Gunugunu (22), and Olisa Saheed (25), who also pleaded not guilty.

    The police said the defendants committed the alleged offence on September 5 last year.

    The prosecutor, Justin Enang, said they had conspired at about 6p.m, to vandalise an oil pipeline located in the Arepo vicinity, and scooped out large quantities of petroleum for illegal sale.

    He alleged that on sighting the NNPC engineers assigned to service pipelines in the area, the suspects who were armed with guns, opened fire, killing three of the engineers.

    The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Sections 3(6), 7(a), 7(b), and 17(a) of the Miscellanous Offence Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    The offence of murder contravenes Section 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    Justice Idris ordered that they be remanded in prison custody and adjourned till May 17 for trial.