A new bunkering site was yesterday uncovered by private security operatives at Robert- Victor village, popularly called “Idi Mango’’ on the offshore of Lagos.
Suspected vandals have used the facility to steal petroleum products and sold at black market.
Eight suspects linked to the crime have been arrested by the private pipelines surveillance security, engaged by Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) to police pipelines.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, was amazed during his visit to the illegal facility.
Kachikwu said that in line with the directives of Mr President to ensure zero tolerance against crude oil theft and pipeline vandals, the measures put in place have started achieving positive results.
According to him, the notorious members of the gang engaged in pipeline vandalism and product theft along the pipeline axis must be brought to book.
“We hope that those apprehended will soon be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others to desist from these nefarious activities” the minister said, adding that the activity of vandals in the community is massive and product siphoned from the network range between 200 to 300 trucks.”
He said that the product siphoned is usually exported to neighbouring countries like Ghana, Togo and Benin.
“We are going to to design another method in addressing such vandalism the country.A lot more effort will be deployed to secure the pipeline, the solution is long- term, ” he assured.
Operation manager and leader of the pipelines surveillance group, Mr Aminu Joshua, appealed to government for more support to track down more vandals.
Joshua said that oil theft has been the major occupation of the community, adding that over 15,000 jerry cans were seized while about 1,000 jerry cans were filled with petrol.
He urged government to appeal to the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSDC) to desist from threatening his team.
