About 100 persons were feared dead in a dawn pipeline fire at the Arepo area of Ogun State on Wednesday.
The area is notorious for oil theft by people who vandalise the pipelines of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Residents who spoke to Daily Times spoke of seeing tens of dead bodies being packed into canoes by persons believed to be families and friends of the deceased.
The fire was said to have been ignited around 1.00am while the vandals were busy scooping fuel.
The area was until recently guarded by members of the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) who had to quit after the three-month contract was not renewed and their agreed fee was not paid by the NNPC.
A resident told the Daily Times: “This area has always been a den of pipeline vandals. It is a highly organized and regulated crime. Security operatives steer clear of the operations of the vandal, many of whom are heavily armed.”
The newly posted officer in charge of Police Task Force in the area, Valentine Olumese, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) said that the force had completed plans to take over the protection of the area.
“The tent that was destroyed will be repaired and access to the scene will be created. Our men will maintain presence,” he said.
