A petroleum pipeline along Aboru, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos has been vandalised by unknown persons for theft, the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, has disclosed.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, Oke-Osanyintolu said that the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) just discovered the unlawful operation in Lagos.
He revealed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had been carrying out routine maintenance and suspected vandals took advantage of the situation to engage in fuel theft.
According to him, LASEMA response team observed a liquid spillage from the NNPC pipeline. However, no injuries or fatalities were recorded at the scene of the vandalism.
He also said that a synergised team comprising LASEMA, Lagos State Fire Service, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Police and Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSC) worked with the NNPC maintenance team to seal the spillage.
“The repair has been concluded while the agency is constrained to remind residents of the commitment of the state government to the safety of lives and property,” he assured.
Oke-Osanyintolu, however, urged Lagos residents to be observant and immediately report any unlawful or suspicious activity along petroleum products pipeline to the appropriate authorities.
It can be recalled that, in January, a pipeline explosion occurred close at the neighbouring Abule-Egba area, which rendered 300 people homeless and at least two confirmed dead.
