LAGOS – The Nigerian Navy (NN) in Lagos said on Sunday that it had handed over 23 suspected vandals that were arrested in connection with the recent pipeline vandalism at Majidun, Ikorodu, to the Police.
This information is contained in a statement from the NN’s Public Affairs Office, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
The statement noted that the suspected persons were arrested in connection with the pipeline vandalism in Ikorodu and preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had a case to answer.
“They were handed over to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP’s) Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, for further investigation and prosecution.
“Handing over the suspect in Abuja was the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Tekeimo Ikoli, who represented the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Ilesanmi Alade.
“Ikoli handed the suspects over to the representative of the Police Anti Pipeline Vandalism Unit, DSP Empress Omoigue,” the statement said.
The statement also stressed the zero tolerance of the Nigerian Navy for crimes in the nation’s maritime space by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Usman Jibrin.
NAN recalls that the Navy in October embarked on an operation code-named `AWATSE’, meaning `SCATTER’, in the Majidun area of Ikorodu, in Lagos State.
As a result of the operation, over 2,000 gallons of petroleum products were recovered from suspected vandals in their hideout in the area and handed over to the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC).
The operation was, however, led by the FOC, Western Naval Command, Rear Adm. Alade, which was aimed at curbing pipeline vandalism in the state. (NAN)
