Metro News
Navy discovers illegal fuel depot in Lagos, arrests five suspects
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft, on Tuesday, discovered an illegal fuel depot at No 3 Silver Bird Road, Ilasun Lekki, and arrested five suspects.
The leader of the syndicate, Ahmed Ariyo alongside four other persons were arrested in a private apartment where they carry out their illegal activities.
According to a statement by the NNS Beecroft spokesperson, Lieutenant Hussaini Ibrahim, the Commander NNS Beecroft, Commodore Rafiu Taye Oladejo, while briefing newsmen, disclosed that the discovery of the illegal fuel depot was sequel to credible intelligence they received on suspicious activities taking place at Elegushi beach.
He said that this necessitated the deployment of NNS Beecroft Quick Response Team to the location which resulted in the discovery and arrest of the suspects.
Commodore Oladejo added that the illegal fuel depot contains 8 storage tanks of 50,000 litres capacity each, laden with about 57,000 litres of AGO; a tanker laden with about 7,000 litres; a bus with 30 jerry cans laden with about 1,500 litres.
The total products discovered is about 65,000 litres of AGO which is estimated to be about 89 million Naira based on the current price of AGO (₦1,350).
While estimating the total capacity of the storage facility found in the apartment, the Commander said the 8 storage tanks if filled with AGO will be about 400,000 litres which is approximately 500 million Naira.
He further explained that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects possibly got the products through pipeline vandalism, illegal vendors at sea as well as other illegal means along the coastline.
Commodore Oladejo reiterated that NNS Beecroft will not relent in its efforts to pursuing oil thieves and other criminal elements as directed by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu.
He assured law abiding citizens of NNS Beecroft’s commitment to stamping out Lagos maritime environment of all forms of maritime crimes for socioeconomic activities to thrive.
The Commander finally handed over the suspects, products and the facility to Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Fire has razed the Oko Baba plank market in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos State.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed this in a statement on Sunday.
LASEMA spokesman, Nosa Okunbor, said officials of the LASEMA Response Team, LRU Fire Unit, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service have embarked on a search and rescue operation at Oko Baba plank market by Ibadan Street, Ebute Metta.
He said the immediate cause of the fire is unknown, adding that no life was lost or injuries sustained as a result of the incident.
“The fire consumed the main plank market, major parts of the shanties and goods worth millions of Naira,” Okunbor said.
“The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, received distress calls via the 767 / 112 Toll-Free Emergency lines at 1020hrs.
“The Agency activated it’s Cobra Squad from the Onipanu Base and arrived the incident scene at 11020hrs.
“Upon arrival at the scene, it was observed that a plank market and shanties spread on a large expanse of land was engulfed by fire.
“The cause and origin of the fire outbreak could not be ascertained as at time of reporting this incident.”
The LASEMA spokesman said that the fire has been completely extinguished as emergency responders have secured the entire area.
According to him, the “dampening down is in progress to prevent re-ignition,” with “occupants enlightened on the dangers, major causes, and ways of preventing fire outbreaks in market areas.”
Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency are currently attending to a fire outbreak at the Oko Baba plank market in the Ebute Metta area of the state.
An X user, Adedeji Olalekan, tweeting as #Stylomedia, disclosed on Sunday that the fire also affected the shanties in the market.
He tweeted, “Okobaba Street is on fire now, all the shanties are burning.”
Confirming the incident in a terse message on WhatsApp, LASEMA’s spokesperson, Nosa Okunbor, said emergency responders are at the scene carrying out a search and rescue operation.
Okunbor said, “LASEMA Response Team, LRU Fire Unit, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service in search and rescue operation at Oko Baba plank market by Ibadan Street, Ebute Metta.”
More soon…
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