The Nigeria Police Force has smashed a syndicate of NNPC pipeline vandals. The operation where this success was recorded took place between 8th and 9th September, 2012, at Agayin, Ajeokuta LGA of Kogi State,a statement by Frank Mba,Force spokesman said.
According to Mba ,this fit was recorded by the newly constituted IGP’s Special Taskforce on Anti Pipeline Vandalization headed by ACP F.T Ibadin, who working on information received on 7th September, 2012 from a good-spirited Nigerian, stormed Adogo village with officers and men of the Taskforce on 8th September, 2012 and dislodged the vandals.
The vandals, over-powered by the Police, took to their heels, abandoning Seventeen (17) trucks, majority of them already loaded with stolen petroleum products. A Honda car, a Volkswagen Golf car, some offensive weapons and other equipment used by the suspects to siphon petroleum products from vandalized NNPC pipelines were also recovered. The Special Taskforce also arrested one Stephen Amana of Adogo village who confirmed to own one of the trucks.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar has commended members of the Taskforce for their timely response which led to the recovery of the items and the arrest of the suspect. He further stated that the Force will leave no stone unturned in forestalling further vandalization of pipelines by hoodlums.
The IG expressed his gratitude to the Governor and people of Kogi State for their cooperation and support before, during and after the operations. He stated that their information to the Police assisted in no small measure in the success of the Special Taskforce.
While assuring Nigerians of the Police readiness to fulfill its constitutional mandate, the IG appealed for a more cordial relationship between the Police and the public.
