By Abdallah el-Kurebe, Editor
A Joint Military Task Force on oil theft and pipeline vandalism anchored by the Western Naval Command in Apapa, Lagos has received a boost with the arrest of an alleged oil pipeline kingpin, Mr. Shuaibu Ogunmola Tuesday.
The feat is as a result of efforts by the Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in collaboration with security agencies aimed at combating the menace of oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
It could be recalled that Ogunmola’s illegal activities through the years, had led to loss of millions of litres of oil products along the Lagos Atlas Cove strip in the strategic System 2B pipeline network.
According to a statement issued by the NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu Tuesday, the suspect was arrested recently at his luxury hotel in Ilashe community, along the Badagry Creek by officers and men of Operation AWATSE.
The corporation explained that investigations revealed that Ogunmola had operated a thriving oil theft racket for decades, hacking pipelines in some island communities in Amuwo-Odofin local government area of Lagos State along the System 2B network right- of- way.
NNPC stated that the gang executed their illegal trade by “digging holes metres away from the corporation’s products pipeline, which essentially serve as storage tanks for products directly siphoned from the lines at a hack point.
“These holes which are cast in drums receive products simultaneously from the labyrinth of pipelines connected to the trunk line directly linked to the ruptured NNPC line.
“The products so harvested are later scoped or transferred into jerrycans and drums and are sold to ready buyers who usually throng the beach-side,” the statement read.
Ughamadu further stated that the products were shipped to Coutonou which has a firmly established market for smuggled Nigerian fuel.
Rear Admiral Obed Ngalabak, Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, who is also the Commander of Operation AWATSE, said the feat was the beginning of a well mapped out strategy to halt the menace of pipeline vandals across the zone.
He explained that “Ogunmola was the ultimate godfather of oil thieves in Ilashe and adjoining settlements where he consigned portions of his territory and offered operating rights to other thieves to operate and bring in returns at agreed rates and terms.”
According to Ngalabak, investigation revealed that the Ilashe pipeline axis had been divided into three ‘oil fields’ by the criminals under the operating titles of Shuaibu Point, Dele Point and Bashiru Point.
He assured that in the days ahead the culprit would be handed over to the appropriate authority for prosecution while efforts are in place to ensure prompt arrest of other members of the syndicate.
Sam Otoboeze, General Manager in charge of the Group Security Department of the NNPC in his response, described the capture of Ogunmola as a victory in the fight against the nefarious activities of pipeline marauders.
He said with the feat, criminals in the dirty business would now know that the game has come to an end.
Otoboeze thanked the NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, for providing the much-needed support to the NNPC security team and the military in the last three years, enabling the corporation to sustain the tempo of the fight against the unrepentant oil thieves.
