How police busted operators of 12 residential oil wells in Lagos

A hot chase by men of the Lagos State Police Command who followed the movement of a woman at about midnight has led to the discovery of https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=55677&action=edit#residents illegally scooping diesel belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The vigilant police men chased the woman carrying kegs of diesel who refused to stop upon prompting, leading them to the activities of the residents around the Abeokuta and Ibadan Streets area of Ilasamaja, Isolo area of the state.

Reports say on sighting the policemen who were on routine patrol, the woman fled and a hot chase ensued after which the police eventually caught up with her.

On interrogation, the woman led the team of policemen to number 12, Abeokuta Street, off Ilasamaja, one of the houses housing the illegal oil wells.

However, residents of the house refused the policemen from entering the house as they tightly shut the door leading to the house in a bid to prevent anyone from entering.

The policemen came back some hours later disguised as potential buyers and it was then that they opened the door and the illegal oil well was discovered leading to the unwrapping of 11 more of such wells in the area.

Following the discovery, the 12 houses have been shut down by the Lagos State Government after it was discovered that the landlords of the affected houses had dug shallow wells to illegally scoop diesel belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

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The State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde revealed that much information while briefing newsmen at the Lagos House, Ikeja after a thorough investigation was carried out in the affected area.

Ayorinde said the State Government was doing its best to work with the NNPC on the matter, while also revealing that work is underway to work with those who are likely to be displaced as a result of the affected houses which have been sealed off.

“The Lagos State Government wishes to use this opportunity to remind Lagosians and the residents of these areas in particular, to assist the police with useful information and to urge them to always volunteer information before any potentially dangerous situation degenerates to public hazard,” Ayorinde said.

The Commissioner of Police for Lagos State Fatai Owoseni confirmed the arrest of three suspects in the operation, adding that a fire tanker has been stationed in the area in the event of any fire incident.

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