Read What NSCDC Did To Police Caught Stealing
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (MSCDC) shot a police officer, Charles Achidika and two other suspects after they reportedly attempted to transport 12,400 litres of petrol.
The Punch reports that Achidika, who was an assistant superintendent of police attached to the federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Adeniji Adele, Lagos engaged in a gun battle with NSCDC officers with his accomplices on the Badagry waterways around 2am on Wednesday, December 2.
It was reported that the suspects tried to ferry the fuel stolen from a vandalised pipeline, to Seme, a Lagos border town. The policeman reportedly opened fire when their boat was flagged down and NSCDC officials retaliated. They were eventually overpowered.
READ ALSO: Pipeline Explosion Rocks Mechanic Village
Two suspects were reportedly still unconscious and battling for their lives at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital while five person, Bendran Isaac, Kobla Fashawo, Jimoh Olusegun, Akapo Joseph, and Amos Bakom were in custody. An AK-47 rifle with the Nigeria Police Force inscribed on it and a pistol were recovered from them.
The police however denied participating in the operation.
“I am the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad attached to Badagry.
“We went for an anti-robbery operation. During the operation, officers of the NSCDC shot me. I didn’t go there to steal fuel. I don’t have the strength to talk.”
Olusegun also said he, Fashawo and Bakom were taking the police on the sea when they encountered the NSCDC officers.
“Officer Charles (Achidika) said he wanted to arrest some suspects on the sea, that we should take him there. On our way back, we saw a big boat and some persons with some NSCDC officers. We told the policeman to let us go since the people seemed to be in NSCDC custody, but he didn’t listen to us. It was the police officer that shot first before the NSCDC officials responded. We were not caught with fuel.”
A suspect, Isaac who said he was a fisherman confessed to the crime.
He said: “I am a fisherman. A man called Champion came to me and said I would always help him to transport some fuel to Seme. We were taking the fuel to Seme when we were arrested on the waterways. They brought us to the shore and anchored our boat. The policeman came and asked who put us there and I told him it was the NSCDC.
READ ALSO: Three pipeline Vandals Arrested In Lagos
“He ordered me to move the boat. I didn’t know him before. I started the engine and when we got to the middle of the sea, he shot in the air. The NSCDC men responded and there was a gun battle. This is my first time of carrying fuel. I am just the driver.”
Gabriel Abafi, the commander of the corps said the command acted as soon as it received a tip-off.
“The suspects were caught around Gberefu community in Badagry after a tip-off. On getting there, we saw a fishing boat filled with pirates and arrested them. They shot at our men. Among them was a police officer. The police officer and two others were wounded. About 496 of 25litres of fuel, an AK-47 rifle and a pistol were recovered. Investigation is on.”
In a related development, 15 suspected oil thieves and six vesssels were handed over to the NSCDC, for prosecution in Port Harcourt on Sunday, November 8, by the Nigerian Navy .
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