NSCDC impounds ‘oil wells’ in Lagos, arrests two

The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has taken over two new wells containing petrol in Egbeda and Iyana Odo areas, LASU-Igando Road.

It was learnt that one of the wells was discovered at a swampy area on Diamond Estate, Egbeda, while the other was on the premises of Winners Chapel International at the Iyana Odo bus stop.

This is just as the command arrested two boat operators – Tope Asemudara, 43, and 23-year-old Alaba Oteje – in the Apapa area of the state for allegedly engaging in illegal oil bunkering.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the wells were impounded on Thursday during an operation led by the state commandant of the corps, Tajudeen Balogun.

Our correspondent also learnt that some persons had been scooping the product as footprints around the fence indicated.

However, the estate residents and the church said they had informed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation about the product, but it did not respond.

The President, Diamond Residents’ Association, Mr. Dapo Ojikiru, said, “We have contacted the NNPC on several occasions. When we did not get any response, we dug some holes and evacuated the fuel. We decided to inform the NSCDC when the spillage continued. Our water has been polluted.”

A pastor at the church, Oladele Paul, said he had made several attempts to get the attention of the authorities to the well since he arrived there about a year ago.

“We want the well to be levelled to the ground. We don’t have potable water in the church. The fuel has contaminated our borehole water. We have reported to the NNPC but nothing was done,” he added.

The NSCDC boss, Balogun, said the operatives had sealed the two wells and would work with the relevant agencies on the way forward.

He said, “The command was on operations at Diamond Estate following an official report by its residents of oil spillage. The corps discovered a pool of petroleum motor spirit behind the estate wall.

“We also discovered a well filled with PMS on the premises of Winners Chapel at Iyana Odo. The pastor of the church said he had earlier reported to the NNPC. We will do everything within our power to correct this anomaly by working with the necessary agencies to avoid any possible hazardous occurrence.”

Meanwhile, two suspected illegal oil bunkers were arrested last Monday with 23 50-litre jerrycans of fuel on the Apapa waterways, Lagos State.

The boat they used to carry the exhibit was also said to have been seized by the corps.

One of the suspects, Asemudare, told PUNCH Metro that a company he worked with gave him the fuel in lieu of his N5,000 wages per trip.

He said, “I am a boat operator and I work with a vessel called Ajara. After discharging fuel on board, the company gives me two or three jerrycans of fuel that remains as my wages. On that day, they called me to come to Ijegun with jerrycans. While returning, I was caught by the NSCDC.”

The second suspect, Oteje, said Asemudare contracted him, adding that he was to receive N4,600 upon the delivery of the fuel at their residence in Aloro, Kirikiri area of the state.

While urging the public to shun pipeline vandalism and illegal bunkering, the commandant said the duo would be charged to court upon the completion of investigation.