A high level syndicate of oil thieves that specialises in vandalising oil pipelines in Lagos and Ogun states with the connivance of the security agents has been uncovered.
Nigeria is losing millions of naira daily in products stolen from National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipelines by these highly organised gangs at several points in the two states.
Nigeria is losing millions of naira daily in products stolen from National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipelines by these highly organised gangs at several points in the two states.
It was gathered that the oil thieves also siphon petroleum products from vessels waiting to discharge imported fuel at the Lagos ports.
Investigation showed that the thriving oil theft operations is the backbone of an illegal underground economy along the coastal towns and villages in both states.
The illegality is being perpetrated by residents with the connivance of staff of the NNPC depot located in Mosimi, a settlement around Ikorodu; Arepo, a settlement town along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Majidun and Ishawo near Ikorodu and Ajegunle popularly called, “The Jungle City”.
Other towns include Akute, on the border of Lagos and Ogun states, Takwa Bay Island and Epe, a famous fishing town.
According to investigations, Olufamous.com learned that workers at the Mosinmi Depot supply information about products being piped and the oil thieves puncture the pipelines and siphon products into 50 litre plastic jerry cans, which are evacuated by boats to “markets” in both states.
Some of the more established oil thieves have used money made from the illicit business to build houses along the coast, which function as illegal jetties to receive the stolen products and also as sales outlets.
Most of these houses or “depots” in these areas have vast storage areas for the jerry cans within gated compounds where petrol is sold to members of the public who drive in and out pretending to be visitors. There, a 50-litre jerry can of petrol is sold for N3,000 instead of N4,850 pump price.
It was discovered that the illegal activities including siphoning of fuel from pipelines and transportation of stolen products to illegal “depots” were carried out mostly from midnight till about 6a.m.while sales are usually made in daytime.
The perpetrators are able to conduct their illicit business unhindered because of the involvement of security agents who aid them, thereby giving tacit cover to the perpetrators.
In Ikorodu, the Ishawo “depot”, which is the main supply point for all the other smuggling rings in the area, is about a kilometre from the Police Divisional Headquarters, Owutu, Ikorodu. The trade also thrives in areas like Majidun, Bayewu and Ogolonto at points situated near established police units.
Investigation showed that the thriving oil theft operations is the backbone of an illegal underground economy along the coastal towns and villages in both states.
The illegality is being perpetrated by residents with the connivance of staff of the NNPC depot located in Mosimi, a settlement around Ikorodu; Arepo, a settlement town along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Majidun and Ishawo near Ikorodu and Ajegunle popularly called, “The Jungle City”.
Other towns include Akute, on the border of Lagos and Ogun states, Takwa Bay Island and Epe, a famous fishing town.
According to investigations, Olufamous.com learned that workers at the Mosinmi Depot supply information about products being piped and the oil thieves puncture the pipelines and siphon products into 50 litre plastic jerry cans, which are evacuated by boats to “markets” in both states.
Some of the more established oil thieves have used money made from the illicit business to build houses along the coast, which function as illegal jetties to receive the stolen products and also as sales outlets.
Most of these houses or “depots” in these areas have vast storage areas for the jerry cans within gated compounds where petrol is sold to members of the public who drive in and out pretending to be visitors. There, a 50-litre jerry can of petrol is sold for N3,000 instead of N4,850 pump price.
It was discovered that the illegal activities including siphoning of fuel from pipelines and transportation of stolen products to illegal “depots” were carried out mostly from midnight till about 6a.m.while sales are usually made in daytime.
The perpetrators are able to conduct their illicit business unhindered because of the involvement of security agents who aid them, thereby giving tacit cover to the perpetrators.
In Ikorodu, the Ishawo “depot”, which is the main supply point for all the other smuggling rings in the area, is about a kilometre from the Police Divisional Headquarters, Owutu, Ikorodu. The trade also thrives in areas like Majidun, Bayewu and Ogolonto at points situated near established police units.
Via OFB
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