In the early hours of Saturday, a group of oil thieves attempted to breach a pipeline owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) in Lagos State, News About Nigeria reports.
The incident took place around 2 am in the Idimu area, known for its industrial infrastructure.
Thanks to timely intelligence, the Lagos State Police Command was alerted to the illegal activity.
Police operatives swiftly responded to the scene, causing the perpetrators to hastily retreat.
Upon the arrival of law enforcement, the oil thieves abandoned the tanker they had been using to siphon Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as petrol, as well as their tools.
The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident and stated that the Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, personally visited the site to assess the situation.
The police presence played a crucial role in preventing further vandalism and theft of the valuable petroleum resource.
Pipeline vandalism and oil theft have been persistent issues in Nigeria, resulting in significant economic losses for the country.
These criminal activities not only compromise the integrity of the oil infrastructure but also contribute to environmental degradation and endanger the lives of local communities.
The NNPC, along with security agencies, has been implementing measures to curb pipeline vandalism and protect the nation’s oil assets.
Authorities are currently conducting investigations to identify and apprehend the individuals involved in the foiled pipeline vandalism attempt.
The police command assured the public of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of critical infrastructure and urged citizens to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
