Lagos State Police Command, has paraded the five persons suspected to be allegedly responsible for the Abule-Egba pipeline fire explosion, which destroying more than one hundred houses and cars.

There was an NNPC pipeline fire explosion on December eighteen, twenty-eighteen, where no less than one hundred houses and seventy-seven cars were destroyed, but no life was lost.

According to Police Commissioner, Imohimi Edgal, the suspects were arrested after evidence from the fire scene were picked up and analysed.

Edgal, said one Rasak Oyekunle, who had an electrical workshop close to the spot where the fire started was first arrested and he confessed that he belongs to the gang responsible for the explosion.

He further said the suspect claimed he situated his workshop closed to the spot they were siphoning NNPC products so as to divert public attention from the illegal operation in the area.

“On Dec. 18, 2018 at 8pm, there was a fire outbreak at Isopako Awori, Abule-Egba area of Lagos State. The fire emanated from NNPC pipeline that was deliberately ruptured by vandals in their bid to siphon Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the broken pipe.

“The consequence was a huge ball of fire that consumed about 100 houses and 77 vehicles worth several millions of naira.

“Based on the development, operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, were detailed to investigate the incident and ensure the arrest of those behind the crime.

“The operatives mobilised to the scene and picked up some pieces of evidence for analysis, which led to the arrest of a suspect, who confessed to committing the crime.

“He further revealed that he owns an electric generator repairing workshop situated right at the spot where the ruptured pipeline was laid, saying the location of the workshop on the pipeline was to enable them siphon fuel undetected.

Edgal said the first suspect’s confession led to the arrest of four other suspects, which included a 40-year-old man, whom had been on the police wanted list, saying the gang had been in the business of stealing petroleum product for many years until they met their waterloo.

In a similar development, ten suspects were arrested on January fifteen, for stealing electricity cables used to supply street light at Sand Area, Orile Iganmu.

The suspects were arrested based on information made available to FSARS operatives, who moved swiftly to the scene to effect arrest, exhibits recovered from the suspects were electric cable, knife and saw.