Two pastors, 28 others nabbed over pipeline vandalism

LAGOS — THIRTY suspected pipeline vandals, among them, two pastorsand two teenagers were, weekend, arrested by officials of the Ogun State command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Isheri Olofin area of the state.

The suspects, according to the Commandant, Mr Akinwande Aboluwoye, were arrested after a shoot-out.

Recovered from the suspects, according to Aboluwoye, were canoes and 400 50-litre jerricans filled with siphoned petroleum product.

Parading the suspects, among whom were six women, the commandant explained that the feat wasachieved following a tip off.

He said: “Immediately theysighted us, they opened fire, thereby leading to a gun battle. But when itbecame apparent that the heat was too much for them, they abandoned the products and jumped into the river and escaped. However, we were able to arrest their accompliceswho reside in the area. We set the recovered canoes ablaze while surveillance has been intensified in that area.”.

However, when the teenagers, Michael Oyedotun(13) and Azeez Ajani(12) were quizzed, theydenied their involvment, saying theyare apprentices in a tailoring workshop in the area.

While Oyedotun claimed he was arrested while taking his bath at the Ogun River, Azeez admitted seeing jerricans around the area any time he wakes up.

On hispart, one of the pastors who identified himself asNikuleyi Adesola, claimed he was arrested in the companyof two female members of his church.

According to him, “I live in the church. I was with two of my members when NSCDC officialsordered us to come out. I do not know anythingabout the recovered jerricans or activities of vandals.”

Meanwhile, the commandant has said the suspects would be charged to court soon.