For residents living around the Majidun River axis of Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb, pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering was a thriving business until the Nigerian Navy launched an offensive against the criminals to salvage the country’s economy, reports PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU.
Before the Nigerian Navy (NN) launched an operation codenamed A WATSE in Ikorodu, Lagos State, to stamp out the activities of pipeline vandals and oil thieves, the criminals had always had it rosy.
Instances abound where officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police had traded blames of conspiracy with the vandals leading to supremacy tussle between both agencies, which The Nation had earlier reported.
According to residents, especially those living around the Majidun River axis of Ikorodu, the vandals appeared untouchable despite their nefarious activities which they alleged were perpetrated regardless of the presence of the security agencies. They also alleged that they carried out their acts in connivance with those in the employ of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Hitherto, 2.4 million barrels of petroleum products were stolen every month which represented about 67 per cent of the overall oil production in a month. The trend caused frequent scarcity of petroleum products.
The unbridled activities of the vandals cause negative effects on the country’s economy, the vandals had continued to wax stronger.
Sensing the dangers the activities of the vandals posed to the country, whose sole economy depends on crude oil exportation, the Nigerian Navy, in October, decided to not only lay in wait for the oil thieves on the high seas as they have always done but also to take the battle to the creeks which are their dens.
Thus, with the permission of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice-Admiral Usman Jibrin, the Western Naval Command (WNC) under the flagship of the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade, on October 5, took the vandals by surprise.
It was an encounter in which no fewer than 10, 000 petroleum products-laden kegs were recovered from the oil thieves. About 50 suspects were also arrested the same day.
As the personnel of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT led by its Commander, Commodore Daniel Ikoli continued combing the nook and cranny of Ikorodu, over 100, 000 petroleum-laden kegs were recovered and handed over to the Products and Pipelines Marketing Company (PPMC) and NNPC while the arrested suspects were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for prosecution.
With the recorded drop in crude oil theft from 2.4 million to about 800, 000 barrels per day, the NN believes its effort of ridding the country of economic saboteurs was yielding positive results.
At the recent bi-annual inspection of units and facilities under his command, Rear Admiral Alade stated that the WNC has, in line with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff’s zero-tolerance on crude oil theft, placed a premium on its operational flexibility.
He reiterated the need to sustain its high level of readiness to balance capabilities, use limited resources and pay attention to details, just as he assured of the sustenance of Operation AWATSE.
“I am happy to note that the command has done well in curbing acts of piracy, oil theft and pipeline vandalism in its area of responsibility. Let me therefore reiterate the NN’s plan to continue to pursue its mandate to stamp out any form of illegalities. I commend all officers and men involved in the ongoing Op AWATSE in Ikorodu, the gains of the operation are well acknowledged,” Alade said.
However, the navy’s feat in this area did not come without resistance as the displaced vandals, aggrieved that their means of livelihood was being blocked, decided to pick up arms to resist their ‘enemies’.
One of such instances was last week’s attack on naval personnel on regular patrol at Abule Oba, which resulted in the death of four suspected vandals, including a kingpin identified as BlackBerry.
The kingpin, according to residents of Ikorodu, has amassed enormous wealth and investments from the act, with which he would have lived comfortably the rest of his life if he had quit vandalism.
It was alleged that aside owning a computer training school, BlackBerry also owned landed properties in Lekki, a highbrow area of the state, among others.
During an aerial survey at the weekend onboard NN Agusta 08 helicopter led by Commodore Ikoli, The Nation observed that all adjourning streams and canals to the Majidun River have been polluted.
Also, clusters of kegs were seen in batches hidden in greeneries; while some lay fallow in boats which were not manned.
Contrary to believes that vandals were petty thieves who stole small quantities of petroleum products in order to put food on their tables, it was gathered that their activities are well co-ordinated with boats readily available to move the products to standby customers who load them in tankers and other vehicles for shipping.
The illegal activity, residents attest, was rife in the locality, with many young people wilfully subscribing to the business because it fetches quick wealth. Confirming The Nation’s earlier report of Police and NSCDC connivance in pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering, the residents alleged that these agencies usually turned blind eyes to the activities after collecting bribes from the criminals.
“At times, they even provide escorts to the vandals and informed them whenever a combined taskforce was to raid the area. That is why you usually see them (Police and NSCDC) fighting and killing themselves in Ikorodu. They leave what they are supposed to do and join forces with criminals.
“Before now, it (vandalism) was a normal business around here. There was hardly a house you will go to and not find kegs laden with petroleum products. Those of us who refused to join the practice preferred to keep quiet then because even the security agents were involved.
“I am happy with what the Navy is doing and I hope they will continue. It will not stop immediately. The vandals have gone into hiding but if the Navy rests on its oars, they will come back,” some source who spoke in confidence said.
