Task Force Arrests Suspected Pipeline Vandals In Festac...

Notwithstanding the frequent arrests of pipeline vandals, oil thieves and seizures of petroleum products, the illicit trade has continued to boom, not only in the Niger Delta, but also in several other parts of the country. But the unwavering determination of the operatives of the Special Task Force on Anti-pipeline Vandalism, instituted by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar, to check the menace yesterday led to the arrest of five suspected pipeline vandals in Lagos.

The suspects identified as Eugene Stanley, Kunle Ogushe, Oluwafemi Bamidele, Komuko Ayekede and James Awolowo, were arrested at 7th Avenue, FESTAC Town, one of the notorious spots for pipeline vandalism in the state.

The suspects confessed that they sell the products to buyers, especially customers at the Apapa area of the state for as much as N6,000 per barrel of 125 litres.

The police were said to have sighted the suspects after they had successfully vandalised and stolen 270 jerry cans of 120 litres of petrol from one of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines at Oke Agemo, Ijedodo area near Ijegun in Iba Local Government Council Development Area (LCDA).

As they were wont to do after each operation, the suspects were sailing across the canal behind 7th Avenue in FESTAC Town when they were surrounded and arrested and the stolen products recovered from them.

The Officer-in-Charge of the task force, Friday Ibadin, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said the operatives laid ambush for the suspects based on intelligence report.

Sand dredger killed, policeman injured in Lagos explosion...

A sand dredger, Oladele Pius, was killed on Monday after an explosion under the FESTAC Link Bridge in Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Lagos State.

A police inspector, Akin Sunday, also sustained a serious injury in the explosion that caused panic in the area.

We learnt that Pius, who was the branch Chairman of Sand Dredgers in the area, was torn apart.

According to eyewitnesses, rescue workers found it difficult to carry Pius’ remains and had to use shovels to pack them in different body bags.

They (eyewitness) said the inspector’s legs were shattered, while his eyes and hands were affected by the explosion.

The explosion which occurred at about 12pm, caused panic because many of the residents and passersby had speculated that the explosion might have been as a result of terrorists’ activities. They reportedly fled the area.

An eyewitness, who claimed to be the deceased’s colleague, said he (deceased) resumed work in the morning under the bridge, and having parked his vehicle, made for his duty post.

Alleged Killers Of Cynthia Osokogu Arraigned...

Finally, the four suspects alleged to have killed Cynthia Osokogu, at a hotel in Festac, Lagos, were arraigned before an Ikeja High Court Friday.

The suspects, Okwumo Nwabufo, Ezike Olisaeloka, Orji Osita and Ezike Nonso who were charged for murder, stealing, possession of stolen property were arraigned before Justice Olabisi Akinlade on a six-count charge preferred against them by the Lagos State government.

The defendants however pleaded not guilty to the alleged offences.
The State alleged that two of the suspects, Okwumo and Ezike on or about July 22, 2012 at Cosmilla Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Festac Town, conspired to murder Cynthia Osokogu.

The suspects were also alleged to have murdered Cynthia by administering Rohypnol Flunitrazepan tablet into her drink, chaining her hands and legs and strangled her to death.