Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit, have arrested 10 suspected pipeline vandals who allegedly broke the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipelines in Elekete area of Ogun State to siphon petroleum products, at the weekend.
Recovered from the suspects were four boats and 140 jerrycans, of which 62 were filled with siphoned petroleum products.
Parading the suspects and exhibits before newsmen, yesterday, the unit’s commander, Friday Ibadin, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, explained that the vandals earlier stormed the area, Saturday night, where they broke one of the pipelines and loaded an unspecified amount of petroleum product.

Not satisfied, he said two separate gangs stormed the creeks again, Sunday night, but were arrested by the operatives led by the Lagos State Sector Commander, Osas Onaghaise, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, before they started siphoning.

He said four of the suspected vandals who earlier stormed the scene to siphon petroleum product were apprehended on their way out with the recovery of 62 jerrycans filled with petroleum products.
Ibadin said: “These suspects are among those that have been on our wanted list. With their arrest, we believe respite will return to this area. Currently, the pipeline had been opened because it was shut down to allow repairs to be carried out at the broken portions. They will be charged to court.”

Access to the terrain
He, however, attributed the cause of the vandals access to the terrain to low waters which needed only canoes to reach.
He said: “We are combatants and can only patrol the waters with canoes. Speed boats can’t be used there because of the level of the water. That not withstanding, we are using the available platforms at our disposal and this has so far paved the way for us.”
- See more at: http://houseretailnews..com/2013/08/exposed-modus-operandi-of-suspected.html#sthash.dSFUVnKn.dpuf