Breaking: Explosion Kills 16 People In Ogun State

Resident of Arepo area of Ogun state experienced some moments of panic on Wednesday, February 10, following  an explosion which left about 16 suspected pipeline vandals dead.

Men of the Joint Task Force (JTF), ‘Operation Awase,’ reportedly 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.

The Punch reports that 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,” a source disclosed to newsmen.

Witnesses say they saw officers taking some corpses out of the creek.

“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,” said an anonymous witness.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ohi Alegbe, confirmed the incident saying: “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 how many people were killed.

“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.

Rear Admiral Ralph Osondu, the flag officer commanding Western naval command, said he didn’t have the authority to comment on the incident.

In a similar report, the Nigerian military said it has arrested the mastermind behind the Agip pipeline bombing in Bayelsa state. Spokesman for Operation Pulo Shield, Colonel Isa Ado, said one Prince Alvin Cockman Oyegun (AKA Commander Abula) had been arrested for masterminding the bombing of the Agip pipeline in the Brass Local Government Area.

Source: Naij.com