Govt Warns Against Pipeline Vandalism, Encroachment in Lagos

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on pipeline vandalism and illegal encroachment on petroleum product pipelines, warning that community silence remains a major factor contributing to pipeline explosions and avoidable loss of lives and property.

The warning was issued on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area of Alimosho Local Government Area.

The engagement, themed “Preventing Recurring Explosions and the Dangers of Encroachment on Petroleum Products Pipelines in Lagos State,” brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, government officials, and residents to address recurring safety concerns.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, the Director of Oil and Gas in the ministry, Adedayo Adereti, described petroleum pipelines as the “arteries of the nation’s economy,” warning that once compromised, they often become flashpoints for devastating explosions.

He said the engagement was prompted by the painful lessons from past incidents in Abule Egba, Ijedodo, Atlas Cove, and other communities, stressing the need to prevent Mosan-Okunola and other parts of Alimosho from suffering similar tragedies.

“The power to stop the next explosion does not lie only in Abuja or government offices in Ikeja. It lies here in your streets, your compounds, and your conscience. A vandal cannot dig for days without someone noticing, and an illegal structure cannot spring up overnight without neighbours seeing it,” Ogunleye stated.

“When communities choose silence, criminals succeed. When communities choose courage, criminals fail,” he added, urging traditional rulers, community associations, youth groups, market leaders, transport unions, and residents to embrace vigilance and reject silence.

The commissioner also highlighted measures being implemented to curb pipeline-related disasters, including digital mapping of pipelines across the state, removal of illegal structures along pipeline corridors, deployment of modern surveillance technologies, and strengthened collaboration with NNPCL, NSCDC, the Police, and other security agencies.