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Petroleum
pipeline vandals were roasted to death along NNPC pipeline at Arepo area in
Ogun state. Image source: ngrguardiannews.com
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Researchers at the Criminology unit,
Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan have found that rich Nigerians
are sponsoring oil pipeline vandalization at Arepo community, Ogun State. In a research report titled “Social organization
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 vandalization.
The
Nation report continues:
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?
BACKGROUND STORY: Over 100 Pipeline
Vandals Feared Dead In Arepo Fire
The
Guardian reported on July 22, 2015 that no fewer than 100 suspected petroleum
pipeline vandals were yesterday roasted to death along Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline at Arepo area in Ogun state.
The
vandals who were busy scooping fuel in the early hours of today ignited the
fire, which was still raging as at 2.30pmwhen The Guardian visited the scene.
The area
which was hitherto guarded by members of Odua People’s Congress (OPC) was said
to have been left unguarded following the withdrawal of its members by OPC
leadership over none payment of their contract fee by the Federal government.
When The
Guardian visited the scene, some vandals who survived the fire outbreak were
seen battling to quench the raging fire while the others moved the dead bodies
of their partners-in-crime into canoes.
NNPC
management to salvage the situation contacted policemen attached to the
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase Special Task Force on
Anti-Pipeline Vandalism.
One of
the mobile policemen who spoke with The Guardian said that they are making
plans to create an access to the area, which is, has been overgrown with weeds
and water Hyacinth.
Policemen
who arrived the scene could not get access to the swampy areas where the
vandals were evacuating the dead bodies.
“You can
see that there is no tent in this area. The one that was in existence was set
ablaze by vandals who attacked members of OPC. We were however invited by NNPC
to come and secure the area while repairs will be done on the security post.
“More
than 100 vandals were roasted in that inferno. As you can see, we do not have a
tenth, no pathway to the scene of the incident. The best option is for
helicopters to be used to access the area or better still create an accessible
road to the site.,” the mobile policeman who prefers to remain anonymous said.
Confirming
the incident, the newly posted officer in charge of the task force, Valentine
Olumese, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) who was also at the scene said
that the police has completed plans to take over the protection of the area.
“The
tenth that was destroyed will be repaired and access to the scene will be
created. Our men will maintain presence.”
He also
assured that pipeline vandalism would be reduced to the barest minimum if
police presence returns to the area.
Ogun State Police
spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi who was contacted on telephone however declined to
speak on the issue.
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