Vandals, Police In Fierce Gun Battle Over Bunkering

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The police and suspected vandals who destroyed NNPC pipelines to scoop petroleum products were on a Sunday engaged in fierce gun battle that lasted for several hours in Ikotun area of Lagos.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Pipeline Street by Governor’s Road in Ikotun area where the pipelines were located.
During the battle, one of the vandals was shot dead, some suspects including a Civil Defence officer were also arrested while three trucks loaded with petroleum products were recovered as exhibits by the police.
However, the gang after putting up stiff resistance was able to escape with four trucks already loaded with the products.
According to the residents, the vandals invaded the pipelines at about 1am with seven tankers and forcefully broke the NNPC pipelnes and drew the products.
It was gathered that the men came with officials of Civil Defence and police officers who aided the bunkering that early morning. The whole thing turned into a serious gun battle when the police operatives from the IGP Monitoring Team were contacted and they went to the scene.
When our correspondent visited the area, the residents confirmed the incident and expressed concern on the danger they faced due to the activities of the vandals.
The identity of the suspect killed and those arrested were not yet disclosed but the residents alleged that the operations of the vandals were aided by the NNPC officials, Civil Defence officers and the police.
According to a resident, when there was no supply of products in the pipeline, there will be peace in the area but once the vandals received information that products were in the pipeline, they will start the bunkering and the information was suspected to have been passed from the NNPC office.
When P.M.EXPRESS visited Ikotun Police Station, the DPO was not around to comment on the matter but police sources confirmed the incident and said some arrestS were made in connection to the incident.