Near Tragedy Army Foils Attack On NNPC Pipelines

From left: former US Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, stand as US President, Barack Obama speaks at the White House in Washington about relief efforts to victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The trio issued a joint pledge that the US “stands united with the Haitian people.”

A tragic attack on the NNPC pipeline in Lagos State which could have deepened the acute fuel shortage currently being experienced in the country was averted weekend by the men of the Nigerian Army.

The Army Operation Pipeline Protection also known as OP MESA, weekend, foiled the bursting and vandalization of NNPC pipelines laid through Peace Estate in Egbe-Idimu Development Council Area, Lagos.

Reports say the vandals had on Thursday night dug the portion of the pipe to be opened up Friday night in order to siphon petroleum products but the security outfit, on a tip off moved into the estate all through the night thereby paralyzing the vandals activities.

According to information made available to The Tide On Sunday, the military personnel, numbering 10, patrolled the estate and environs all through Friday night till Saturday morning.

Lt. Colonel Stanislous-Labo, the operations officer of the outfit, in a telephone chat with our correspondent, confirmed the incident. He pointed out that the outfit could be more successful in the protection of NNPC pipelines if the public availed of information.

“Though we didn’t get the vandals, we have not only prevented them from their devilish act but we have succeeded in sending them away from that spot permanently because, henceforth, we will put an eye more in that vicinity”, he said.