Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested the prime suspect in the vandalism of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s pipeline, which caused an explosion, that destroyed properties worth several millions of naira in the Abule-Egba area of the state on December 19, 2018.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, had in a statement, declared wanted the prime suspect, one Adedipe Ewenla, adding that the four arrested suspects had given an account of how the fire that burnt over 100 houses, several shops and 77 vehicles, started in the Abule-Egba area.
The state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, said at a press briefing on Tuesday that operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Squad, who were mobilised to investigate the incident, arrested Ewenla and his accomplices, Abdulazeez Agbola, 29; Akin Ayansola, 44; one Kazeem, 50; and Saheed Isiola, 36.
He added that evidence gathered at the scene of the incident led to the arrest of one Rasak Oyakunle, who confessed to having his workshop on the spot where the pipeline was ruptured in order to be scooping fuel undetected.
Imohimi said, “On Thursday, December 19, 2018, around 2am, there was a fire outbreak at Isopako Awori, Abule-Egba area of Lagos State. The fire emanated from the NNPC pipeline that was deliberately ruptured by vandals in their bid to siphon Premium Motor Spirit from the broken pipeline. The consequence was a huge ball of fire that consumed about 100 houses and 77 vehicles worth several millions of naira.
“Based on the development, operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, were detailed to investigate the incident and ensure the arrest of those behind the crime. The operatives mobilised to the scene and picked up some pieces of evidence for analysis, which led to the arrest of one Rasak Oyakunle, aka Akeregun.
“During interrogation, he confessed to committing the crime. He further revealed that he owned a generator repair workshop situated right on the spot where the pipeline was ruptured. He said that the location of the workshop on the petroleum pipeline was to enable them siphon fuel undetected. His partners in the illegal business currently in our custody are Abdulazeez Agbola, 29; Akin Ayansola, 44; one Kazeem, 50; and Saheed Isiola, 36.
“Also arrested is one Adedipe Ewenla, 40, who was on the police wanted list as a result of the stealing of petroleum products for many years until he met his waterloo on December 19, 2018.â€
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