By LEKAN BILESANMI

Lagos-A disaster which could have deepened  the acute fuel shortage currently being experienced in the country was averted weekend by the men of the Nigerian Army Operation Pipeline Protection, also known as OP MESA, who foiled the bursting and vandalization of NNPC pipelines laid through Peace Estate in Egbe-Idimu Development Council Area, Lagos.

The vandals had on Thursday night dug the portion of the pipe to be opened up Friday night in order to siphon petroleum products but the security outfit, on receiving information, moved into the estate all through the night thereby paralyzing the vandals activities. According to information made available to Sunday Vanguard, the military personnel, numbering 10, patrolled the estate and environs all through Friday night till Saturday morning.

Lt. Colonel Stanislous- Labo, the operations officer of the outfit, in a telephone chat, confirmed the incident. He pointed out that the outfit could be more successful in the protection of NNPC pipelines if the public availed of information.

“Though we didn’t get the vandals, we have not only prevented them from their devilish act but we have succeeded in sending them away from that spot permanently because, henceforth, we will put an eye more in that vicinity”, he said.