The NSCDC Lagos Commandant, Mr Paul Ayeni, while addressing newsmen said the command also arrested two members of the syndicate and detained a 60,000-litre truck laden with the commodity after overpowering the syndicate which attacked the NSCDC officials.
He revealed that the command received a distress call at about 1:00 am on Saturday and they immediately swung into action to ensure the perpetrators do not go scot-free.
Ayeni said that the command was able to capture two members of the syndicate who have no specific job or means of livelihood for identification; one Francis Ogbechie, 31, of No 3 Bless-Jar, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos State and a native of Isele-uku, Aniocha North LGA of Delta.
“The second suspect is Pius Uchenna, 32, who lives at No. 3, Bori Street, Cele Village, Egbeda, Lagos State, a native of Agbor, Ika South LGA of Delta,” he said.
The commandant explained further that about four trucks drove into the creek with the aim to siphon PMS.
“However, on citing our men, about 40 bunkerers jumped out of the creek and pounced on our men.
“The NSCDC personnel wrestled with them and a truck loaded with 60 litres of PMS was seized, while three empty trucks sped away.
“The driver of the seized truck destroyed its brakes in an attempt to deceive our men but to no avail.
“The command has repaired the brakes to move the truck out of the creek so as to be able to deliver it to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),’’ the NSCDC Lagos boss added.
The commandant said that the command was in search of other accomplices and they would all be charged to court when all investigations were concluded.
The NSCDC boss reiterated that the corps would continue to live up to its mandate of protecting critical infrastructure in the country.
