An explosion which rocked the Arepo area of Ogun State on Wednesday, reportedly left about 16 suspected pipeline vandals dead. According to reports, men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, ‘Operation Awase,’ attempted to clear the bush from Arepo to link the Ikorodu area of Lagos state which had always provided a hiding place for the vandals, thereby, flushing out the vandals.
However, the vandals were said to have laid ambush for the officials following a tip-off. They reportedly went ahead of the officers and poured petrol on the path the officers were to take.
A source, according to The Punch, said “As the military men moved in to start their operation, they were not aware that the vandals were already spying on them and watching their movement.
“It was another set of vandals that went to set the path on fire.
“These vandals did not know the extent to which the first group poured petrol and they had unknowingly entered into part of the place.
“As they threw the firebomb at the military men, the fire consumed them. About 16 of them died,” the source disclosed.
A motorcycle rider also disclosed how he sighted the officers taking some corpses out of the creek.
He said, “I cannot count the number of casualties, but they were many. There were three military vehicles. The fight between the military and the vandals is on a daily basis and we have not been having peace in this community. We are always afraid.”
Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, said, “The vandals again broke into the system. We are working on putting out the fire.
Also, a top official of the JTF who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that there was an explosion, but said he could not tell if there was any casualty.
“I was told that the NNPC officials were already there and they said they had been trying to put out the fire without any result. They are still on it,” he added.
Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ralph Osondu, said he didn’t have the authority to comment on the incident.
“It is only the Defence headquarters that can talk about ‘Operation Awase’,” Osondu said.
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