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Tag: Vandals

  • Navy arrests six ‘vandals’ as hundreds of kegs, illegal refineries are destroyed

    In continuation of its war on pipeline vandals and crude oil thieves, operatives of the Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday nabbed six suspects in Rivers State.

    This is just as Nan personnel attached to the NNS BEECROFT in Lagos raided vandals’ haven around Atlas Cove, seizing hundreds of kegs the fleeing criminals abandoned.

    In an operation led by the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Abraham Adaji, the naval men, who restrained from shooting the vandals to avoid fire outbreak, confiscated 21 drums of 250 litres each loaded with stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    Also seized was a wooden Cotonou boat laden with 245 empty drums measuring 250 litres each and 91 empty Jerry cans measuring 25 litres each. The suspects jumped into the water to evade arrest.

    Confirming the developments, Director, Naval information, Commodore Chris Ezekobe said the group ran out of luck as the naval team which was on routine surveillance patrol of the area discovered they were loading PMS from the NNPC Single point mooring at Atlas cove.

    He also said that the six suspects nabbed in Rivers were being interrogated, adding that personnel on NNS PATHFINDER picked them up from a large warehouse at Ogbogoro Uzoba waterside around Choba.

    “The suspects who are now undergoing investigation were picked up from a large warehouse located at Ogbogoro Uzoba waterside around Choba in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    “The raid is in continuation of the Chief of the Naval Staff’s strong resolve to stamp out all forms of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal refineries and other unwholesome activities that have impacted negatively on the security and economic development of Nigeria.

    “The warehouse is suspected to serve as a storage facility for illegally refined products. Also discovered in the facility include three wooden boats containing about 20,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO, 350 drums, several GP and metal tanks ranging from 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 litres storage capacity as well as seven pumping machines.

    “In addition, another Navy patrol team deployed from NNS DELTA discovered and destroyed two illegal refineries in Jones creek in Warri South west Local Government area of Delta State. The items also destroyed in the site include a Cotonou boat laden with about 66,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil, four GP storage tanks measuring 500 litres each. The GP tanks contain 2,000 metric tons of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO.

    “Other items discovered at the site are 50 Jerry cans measuring 50 litres each containing 2.5 MT of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO, pumping machine, large metal tanks and a Cotonou boat,” said Ezekobe.

  • Buhari to give pipeline vandals Boko Haram treatment

    Buhari to give pipeline vandals Boko Haram treatment

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Beijing, China warned vandals and saboteurs blowing up oil and gas installations to desist immediately or get the Boko Haram treatment.

    He gave the warning during a meeting with members of the Nigerian community in China.

    Buhari, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also reaffirmed his commitment to winning the war against corruption.

    He said: “I ask for your support to make our vision of  stamping out corruption a reality in the shortest possible time. Whoever is caught will not be spared.

    “The government is still being dared, but those who are sensible should have learnt a lesson. Those who are mad, let them continue in their madness.”

    “I am aware that in the last two weeks, the national grid collapsed a number of times. I hope this message will reach the vandals  and saboteurs who are blowing up pipelines and installations.

    “We will deal with them the way we dealt with Boko Haram,” the President declared.

    He assured the Nigerians that the Federal Government was working very hard to overcome current national challenges and deliver on its promise of a better Nigeria.

    He added: “Clearly, our vision of a diversified and inclusive economy will not be achieved overnight. It will be a long, and in some cases, painful journey. I am very confident we will get there. But we must start that journey now.

    “We hear proposals for short cuts or quick wins. However, all we need to do is look at our history to know that there are no quick wins or short cuts in fixing Nigeria. The many decades of damage and destruction cannot be repaired overnight.

    “The reform programme we are implementing is not because oil prices are below $45

  • Mimiko warns oil palm vandals

    Mimiko warns oil palm vandals

    ndo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has warned illegal occupants on the Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc to leave the plantation.

    Giving the warning at the weekend, Mimiko said with the inauguration of the 27.5KM Ajagba-Iyansan Road, sanity would be restored to the plantation.

    Noting that the road passes through the plantation, the governor said the cost of transportation from the plantation, which was limited to the waterways, had been a major issue militating against the company’s smooth operation.

    ”One of the factors that has over the years affected the production cost of this company is the cost of transportation of harvested palm fruits through the waterways.

    “The absence of this road over the years has resulted in the illegal occupation of the farm by unscrupulous persons.”

    Mimiko warned the illegal occupants to steer clear of the plantation.

    Handing over the quit notice, he said: “Let me sound it loud and clear to those occupying the plantation illegally that  the endgame has come and that it would no longer be business as usual.”.

  • NSCDC arrests 13 suspected vandals in Akwa Ibom

    NSCDC arrests 13 suspected vandals in Akwa Ibom

    The Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said it arrested 13 suspected vandals last Friday.

    The state’s Commandant, Mr Emmanuel Ojeniyi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo, the state capital, that the suspects would be charged to court after investigation.

    He said: “On Friday, 13 vandals were arrested and brought to this command and we are investigating.

    “As soon as investigation is completed, they will be charged to court.”

    Ojeniyi said the collaboration of his men with other security agencies led to a reduction in vandalism across the state.

    The commandant warned vandals and other criminals to desist from damaging pipelines because the state would no longer be conducive for their business.

    He said the command would not relent in its mandate of protecting critical government infrastructure in any part of the country.

    Ojeniyi advised private security companies, which have not renewed their licences this year, to do so.

    He said the command would soon begin inspection of private guard companies, adding those without renewed licences would be sanctioned.

    The commandant noted that oil theft, adulteration and vandalism would be eliminated with the cooperation of other security agencies.

    Ojeniyi urged residents to regard security agents as their friends and volunteer information on the activities of criminals.

  • Ambode orders use of force against vandals

    Ambode orders use of force against vandals

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday ordered security agencies to apply “appropriate force” to clampdown on criminals, pipeline vandals, miscreants and cultists disturbing the peace of residents.

    The governor spoke at a security inspection tour of Owutu, Ishawo, Oke-Oko and other adjoining communities in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    He warned criminals to stay off Lagos’ streets, vowing to stop at nothing to ensure the restoration of peace in the area, which had hitherto being disturbed by the activities of vandals and miscreants.

    The governor, who stopped at the Little Palace Hotel, which vandals once used as hideout before it was taken over by a combined force of the Army, Navy, Airforce and the Department of State Security (DSS) and the police under the code name, ‘Operation Awatse’.

    He regretted the loss of three officers in the operation, assuring that his administration will give the force the necessary support to wage war against the vandals.

    “I would like to use this as a platform to warn vandals and cultists parading themselves on the streets of Lagos.

    “Just recently, we heard that the fingers of some of our men in the Task Force were chopped off by some hoodlums. I’m using this platform also to direct our security forces that they should go ahead to use appropriate force in preventing against such incidences next time and this is in the overall interest of all of us. While we make sure that we are upholding the rule of law. We would not allow some miscreants to disturb the peace of Lagos.

    “If we sit down in our office, we would not be able to appreciate the extent of the problem here. People here have been living in fear in the past. We want permanent peace in the area and that is why we are coming after the vandals and criminals. Let me use this opportunity to warn criminals to get off the streets of Lagos and get off the creeks,” he said.

    He promised to champion collaboration for the construction of a link bridge among Lagos, Ogun and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to ensure that Ishawo, Oke Oko communities are linked to Kara and Arepo via the creek to ensure easy access to the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

     

  • Ambode orders security agencies to apply force against vandals, cultists

    Ambode orders security agencies to apply force against vandals, cultists

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode Tuesday ordered security agencies to apply appropriate force to clampdown on criminals, pipeline vandals, miscreants and cultists disturbing the peace of residents in the state.

    The Governor who spoke during a security inspection tour of Owutu, Ishawo, Oke-Oko and other adjoining communities in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state, also warned criminals to stay off the streets of Lagos, vowing to stop at nothing to ensure the restoration of peace in the area, which had hitherto being disturbed by the activities of vandals and miscreants.

    The Governor who made a brief stop at the Little Palace Hotel, where vandals once used as hideout to carry out their nefarious activities before it was taken over by a combined force of the Nigeria Army, Navy, Airforce and the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Police under the code name, ‘Operation Awatse’, expressed deep regret over the loss of three officers of the operation, assuring that his administration will give the force the necessary support to wage war against the vandals.

    “I would like to use this as a platform to give a very strong warning to vandals and even cultists that are parading themselves on the street of Lagos.

    “Just recently we heard that the fingers of some of our men in the Task Force were chopped off by some hoodlums so to speak. I’m using this platform also to direct our security forces that they should go ahead to use appropriate force in mitigating against such incidences next time and this is in the overall interest of all of us. While we make sure that we are upholding the rule of law. We would not fold our arms and allow some miscreants to disturb the peace of Lagos.”

    “If we sit down in our office, we would not be able to appreciate the extent of the problem here. People here have been living in fear in the past. We want permanent peace in the area and that is why we are coming after the vandals and criminals. Let me use this opportunity to warn criminals to get off the streets of Lagos and get off the creeks,” he said.

    The Governor while appreciating the officers whose presence in the area had reduced the activities of the vandals and hoodlums terrorising residents, said he will ensure that all necessary apparatus and welfare for the officers is made available to boost their morale in the line of duty.

    “I have come here personally with the heads of security agencies in Lagos State and the Security Council members to firstly appreciate the work of security agencies that have been posted here since last October and to also commend you for the improvement we have made since the time that you commenced operation here.

    “We like to reiterate once again our full commitment to support security agencies in eradicating vandalism and all sorts of vices from the street of Lagos. Beyond the fact that we are supporting the Nigerian Police, we are also now more than ever committed to support all the other security agencies in ensuring that they carry out their work more efficiently. So, my presence today underscores that fact that we all have to join hands together to ensure that the ugly scenes like this will not repeat itself,” he said.

    Earlier, Lt Col. Julius Ogbebe, Commanding Officer of the Operation Awatse, who briefed the Governor and his entourage on the operational base of his squad, said they dislodged the vandals from the Little Palace Hotel on October 10, 2015, which has since led to the recovery of over 2000 by 50 litres gallon of illegal products, 36 vehicles while 15 suspects were also arrested and handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for prosecution.

    The Governor who also inspected the state of the road, revealed plans to link up the community with Arepo and Kara, expressing optimism that if the road network is accessible, it would go a long way to reduce the activities of vandals in the area.

    He therefore promised to champion collaboration for the construction of a link bridge among Lagos, Ogun and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to ensure that Ishawo, Oke Oko communities is linked to Kara and Arepo via the creek to ensure easy access to Lagos Ibadan Expressway.

    Addressing community leaders and residents at a brief town hall meeting, said although his visit to the area was to access the security situation, he also took note of the need to open up the community so as to curtail the activities of pipeline vandals to the bearest minimum.

  • Five military personnel feared killed as Arepo vandals strike again

    Five military personnel feared killed as Arepo vandals strike again

    Suspected pipeline vandals struck afresh yesterday at Arepo,Ogun State.

    No fewer than five military personnel were feared killed in the attack,coming about  four months after seven officers of the Department of State Security (DSS) were ambushed, killed and allegedly buried in shallow graves by vandals at Ishawo , Ikorodu in Lagos State.

    The latest attack  occurred at Wawa area of Arepo, said to be the new den of the criminals who have recently come under  severe pressure  from the joint security Anti-Pipeline vandalism operation codenamed AWATSE.

    Coordinated by the Defence Headquarters, operation AWATSE is made up of personnel from the Navy  (NN), Army (NA), Airforce  (NAF), Police, DSS and the Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    It was gathered that the criminals launched a reprisal against the security agents who dislodged them on Wednesday.

    Security operatives had stormed the area in the wee hours of Wednesday following a tip off that vandals had caused a pipeline explosion while siphoning fuel.

    It was gathered that the criminals who had loaded a tanker as well as dozens of  jerry cans , engaged the operatives in a gun duel but were  soon overpowered.

    The  tanker and other stolen products allegedly caught fire, while some of the vandals who survived were said to have retreated.

    But the criminals, it was gathered, regrouped on Thursday night, started a fire and while the military operatives headed towards that direction to know the cause of the inferno, they were ambushed and killed.

    Three corpses were said to have  been retrieved last night  while two were still missing.

  • EFCC, DSS to join prosecution of pipeline vandals

    EFCC, DSS to join prosecution of pipeline vandals

    The Managing Director Petroleum Products and Marketing Company (PPMC), Mrs Esther Nnamdi-Ogbue, said yesterday that the Federal Government will involve some security agencies in the prosecution of pipeline vandals.

    Nnamadi-Ogbue stated this during a visit to Mosinmi Depot and Ajebo pipeline in Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun.

    She listed the security agencies to be involved as the Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Ogbue said that the involvement of these agencies would facilitate the prosecution of the vandals at the courts of competent jurisdiction.

    “We are looking at all ramifications on how to bring these criminals to book; they have to be treated as criminals and pipeline products thieves.

    “The pipelines are the most efficient way of moving products and then for the first time in a very long time we are pushing products all the way to Ibadan.

    “We intend to move to Ilorin, reduce bridging from Lagos area so that people can go and pick up their products in Ibadan and Ilorin,” Ogbue said.

    She expressed optimism that partnership with EFCC, DSS, Police and host communities would yield positive results and the culprits would soon face the full wrath of the law.

    Ogbue said that federal government would start deploying trackers on trucks carrying fuel from its depots to filling stations across the country to check diversion of the product.

    The PPMC boss explained that with the trackers government would be able to monitor the movement of trucks vis- a-vis their destinations.

    Ogbue lamented that fuel diversion was a serious problem with undesirable consequences on the economy.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the federal government operates 22 depots nationwide, including Atlas Cove, which is located in Lagos

  • NSCDC arrests 70, convicts 7 vandals in Akwa Ibom

    NSCDC arrests 70, convicts 7 vandals in Akwa Ibom

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom Command, said on Sunday that it had arrested 70 suspected vandals and convicted seven of them between June and November.

    The state Commandant of the Corps, Mr Emmanuel Ojeniyi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo.

    Ojeniyi said that the seven persons were convicted for pipeline vandalism and adulteration of petroleum products.

    He said that the command had 36 cases pending in court and expressed hope that it would secure more convictions from the cases.

    “I want to say that within this short period, we have made 70 arrests and secured seven convictions and we still have 36 cases pending in court.

    “We have also investigated 19 cases and will soon charge the suspects to court while 17 cases have been abandoned for lack of witnesses,” he said.

    The corps commandant also said that during the period, the command impounded some trucks that were abandoned by the pipeline vandals when its personnel confronted them.

    Ojeniyi said that the command would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to fight vandals in the state.

    He expressed optimism that with such cooperation, oil theft, petroleum product adulteration and vandalism of electricity installations would effectively be curtailed in the state.

    He said that the activities of the hoodlums had hindered the country’s economic growth and required the collective efforts of all citizens to eradicate the menace.

    The commandant said that NSCDC was firmly committed to enforcing government policies and programmes in accordance with the law to deal with the problem.

    He urged Akwa Ibom residents to regard security agents as their friends and volunteer useful information on the activities of criminals to the command for prompt action.

     

  • Niger Delta rulers aid vandals, says commander

    The Commander of the 2 Brigade in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Brig.-Gen. Steve Olabanji, has said most monarchs and chiefs in the Niger Delta sponsor pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in the region.

    The commander noted that if most people knew about the level of illegal activities in  communities in the Niger Delta, they would weep for Nigeria.

    Olabanji, who addressed reporters yesterday in Port Harcourt, said soldiers never invaded Bile-Kalabari in Degema Local Government Area, as the community’s leaders claimed.

    The commander described kidnapping as the Army’s biggest challenge in Rivers State.

    He expressed worry that National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were the most vulnerable to kidnappings.

    According to him, there should be a concerted effort to stop kidnapping before the NYSC stopped posting corps members to the state.

    Three men were reportedly arrested at Bile with arms and suspected crude oil pipelines were allegedly laid to siphon the commodity.

    Olabanji said the community elders failed to call youths and others involved in the illegal trade to order.

    He said: “We have men (soldiers) at Bile. It is a normal routine: deployment of troops in one of our areas of responsibility. We have a mandate to protect pipelines and other critical national infrastructure within Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states.

    “Since I came on board, in the last three months, we have been analysing the areas that are prone to pipeline vandalism or where most illegal activities are predominant. Bile is one of such communities. If you know the level of illegal activities at Bile, you will weep for this country. The same thing happens in Okrika.

    “It is unfortunate that most of the chiefs, who are supposed to be respected in the society, sponsor these illegal activities. We cannot have a mandate to protect the facilities and we will fold our arms.

    “Maybe the people of Bile found it strange to have soldiers in their community. We have a prerogative not to tell them we were coming. If they knew that we were coming, apparently most of the criminals would have disappeared.

    “We have made some arrests (at Bile). They (suspects) are undergoing interrogation. We will hand them over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.”

    The commander said most of Niger Delta youths involved in kidnapping were members of various cult groups.

    He said they had begun to collect ransom as low as N10,000 or recharge cards.