Ogun community deserted, as pipeline vandals engage police in gun battle

Residents of Elebute community in Obafemi
Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State,
yesterday, fled their homes to avoid being
caught in the crossfire as policemen and pipeline
vandals clashed. Vanguard gathered that the
vandals engaged policemen and other security
agents in a shootout that lasted over an hour at
the early hours of yesterday, in an attempt to
rescue two of their colleagues that were
arrested.

It was reported that they also attempted to
deflate the tyres of the Police Armoured
Personnel Carrier, APC, but their attempt was
frustrated. However, some police vans were
destroyed though no life was lost. At noon
yesterday, three APCs were seen stationed at
Ibafo junction with over 50 heavily-armed
security personnel, comprising police, soldiers,
and National Security and Civil Defense Corps,
NSCDC, patrolling the area.

A resident, who came back to pick some of his
belongings, told journalists: “Some oil vandals
invaded the community two nights ago to attack
oil pipelines, when security operatives swooped
on them. “This resulted in a gun battle that
lasted over four hours. We all laid on the floor.
The shooting, which continued the next day
forced everyone to remain indoors. We have to
vacate our homes so as not to be hit by stray
bullets.”

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr.
Abdulmajid Ali, said two suspected vandals had
been arrested following the attack. He said: “We
arrested two of the notorious pipeline vandals
and before we knew it, the vandals opened fire
on our APC. They destroyed our vehicles. I can
assure you that we are out for them. “We are no
longer going to tolerate their impunity. We are
holding two of the kingpins and we would go out
for more. They should leave our national assets
alone or face the wrath of the command.”