LAGOS — Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Anti- Pipeline Vandalism Unit have arrested five persons, who are managers and supervisors of two petrol stations in Ikorodu area of Lagos, alleged to be receivers of stolen petroleum products from vandalised pipelines belonging to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
Consequently, the petrol stations namely, Conoil and Ododo, have been shut down by the operatives with their owners said to be on the run.
The arrest, according to the Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of the unit, Friday Ibadin, was made last weekend following a tip-off from members of an undisclosed community around Epe, that trucks loaded with petroleum products suspected to have been siphoned were sighted close to NNPC pipeline.
Ibadin said operatives led by the Lagos State Sector Commander, Samson Olawoyin, a Superintendent of Police, trailed the trucks to Ododo and Conoil petrol stations in Ikorodu where the product was being discharged.
He said: “We are still on the trail of Badewa Bola, owner of the Conoil petrol station, who disappeared when he got information that policemen visited his office. Both petrol stations have been shut down.
“Meanwhile, I wish to use this opportunity to warn all petrol station operators that it is no longer business as usual. We will clamp down on anyone found to be patronising vandals. The fact remains that if there is no market, pipeline vandalisation will stop. We sincerely appreciate efforts of the community for assisting us with prompt information.”
Station manager denies knowledge of siphoned product
The Conoil petrol station manager, Olaniyi Tope, during interrogation denied having any knowledge that the product was siphoned, stating rather that the transaction was done by his boss, one Badewa Bola, who is on the run.
He said: “On July 13, 2013, my boss, Mr Bala, called me on the phone and informed that a truck loaded with PMS (petrol) was heading towards our station. He instructed me to ensure that payment was made as soon as the product was discharged. But while they were discharging the product, policemen stormed the station and arrested me and the supervisor.
“I am only an errand boy. I honestly do not know anything about this. Before the arrival of the Police, I asked the supervisor to check if the document the supplier brought was proper and he said yes. My boss is guilty, not me.”
I was tempted by the offer —Suspect
On his part, manager of Ododo petrol station, Alabi Olagunla, also claimed that he never knew the product was siphoned from a vandalized pipeline. He explained rather, that he was tempted by the price the supplier offered to sell the product.
His words: “The supplier, Adeleke, came to my office and said he had a truck load of petrol to sell at N90 per litre. Since we are out to make gain, I quickly accepted the offer and bought the product.
“To my shock, some policemen stormed my office later, accompanied by Adeleke, who was handcuffed. When I demanded to know what the problem was, the Police said the product we bought was siphoned from the NNPC pipeline in Epe. My desperation to make profit made me forget to ask for the waybill and it has landed me in trouble.”
The alleged supplier, Adeleke Adetoro, admitted that the product was siphoned but pleaded to be given a second chance.
He said: “I am quite aware of the source of the product but the man who linked me up with the vandals told me that they had the necessary document that will not give us away. He gave me a waybill which was supposed to serve as proof of ownership. But I did not study the documents very well, if not, I would have noticed that the date on it showed that it was issued last year. I am very sorry. Please give me a second chance.”
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