Fuel scarcity forced us into pipeline vandalism, confessed burnt vandals

The Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit, Lagos Command, has arrested two persons, believed to be among those behind the fire outbreak at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation pipeline at Ilare/Imagbon axis in Ikorodu area of Lagos on March 20, 2014.

The two suspects, identified as Rotanna Ifeanyi and Soji Omomoyesan, with others at large, allegedly caused the outbreak of the fire, while attempting to extract PMS. 

They however fled before security operatives and fire fighters reached the scene, but not without receiving severe burnt from the fire.

The two said that they embarked on the illegal trade after fuel scarcity started in Lagos.

It was gathered that the suspects were apprehended with the help of members of the community who trailed them to the house of an herbalist where they ran to receive treatment for their burns.

According to Rotanna, 22, his best friend Tony Olabanji, convinced him to join in the pipeline vandalism.

His words:  “My best friend Tony said that we should go to Ilara area to help some vandals. We left at about 2am.

“He told me that security men no longer used to visit the area since they believed vandals no longer attempt to vandalise the pipeline.
“When we got there, there were a lot of people. There were men and women, numbering over 20. We were later contracted by one mama Beji who agreed to pay N200 for each jerry can that we moved to her vehicle.
“It was while this was going on, that we saw smokes coming from the site, I tried to turn away but the smoke and heat was too much. I collapsed and when I recovered, I was in much pain. I rushed to Baba Seriki’s house where I met Soji who was already there.”

He explained that the community members stormed the herbalist home, beat him and Soji up and alerted the police.

Rotanna added that one Jide caused the fire outbreak. “It started because there was an argument over who was to fetch before the other. Jide out of annoyance unknowingly threw the cigarette in his hand into the fire.”

Soji on the other hand, praised God that police rescued him. He said: “I am alive today because the police came to my rescue. The entire community wanted to set me on fire before the police arrived.”

He said he was an engineer that the vandals desperately needed one and he knew he would make cool money.
“At my age, I cannot carry 50liters, so I was employed as a canoe paddler. When we got there around 2am, everything was moving on smoothly till they started arguing. I was heading back to help solve the problem when the fire started. I was able to escape being roasted completely but the heat got me and peeled off my skin.”
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Friday Ibadin, who in charge of the Task Force, said that they got information that there was a fire outbreak at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation pipeline along Ilare/Imagbon axis as a result of the activities of vandals and dashed to the scene.
Ibadin thanked the community members, adding: “I encourage other communities to do same to bring a permanent end to Pipeline vandalism.”

An elder in the community, Baba Toyin who assisted the police in arresting the suspects, said: “If all the security operatives are willing to guarantee that these men will be prosecuted, we will assist them in fishing them out in this area. Over here in Ikorodu, our children are no longer interested in going to school.

“Every other child is a potential vandal because most of those involved in this illicit trade are building houses and driving big cars. Our waters are polluted because of their activities and most especially incessant fire outbreaks have killed a lot of our people.
We know who and who those are into this business but because our security is not guaranteed, no one wants to speak out. They are heavily armed and can wipe out you family if they discover that you are the one who reported them to the police.”