Navy Arrest 20 Security Guards Over Construction Of 310 Illegal Oil Wells In Lagos
LAGOS JANUARY 10TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The Nigerian Navy has arrested 20 security officials securing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over alleged construction of over 310 illegal oil wells.
Those arrested including officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were said to have been involved in the syphoning of petroleum products in the country.
Daily Trust reports that the guards arrested were deployed to the area to secure the NNPC pipelines that run from Atlas Cove to Ejigbo and Mosimi depots both in Lagos and Ogun states.
Following their arrest, the officials are being detained at the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), BEECROFT, Apapa, where they are being interrogated.
It was also gathered that the illegal oil wells constructed by the guards were discovered by some soldiers participating in an ongoing joint military operation code-named “Operation KURONBE” at Atlas Cove.
Also, some of the illegal oil wells were dug right inside the security post of those drafted to secure the area while others were discovered in front of the security post.
Speaking on the arrests and discoveries made, the command information officer for the Western Naval Command, Commander Thomas Otuji, said during the raid, devices which include fabricated pipes and multiple hoses connected to the NNPC pipelines were recovered.
Otuji said the pipelines with over 300 points which were connected to illegally siphon petrol were dismantled by the Navy.
The JTF team visited the former president in Otuoke, Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa state to ascertain the level of damage following an attack on the former president’s residence by unknown gunmen on Christmas eve.
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