Two suspected vandals were burnt to death while scooping oil Monday in Kaduna state after vandalising oil pipelines of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in a remote community that houses pipelines to Kaduna Refinery.
The incident occurred in Ungwan Udazo, Rido Gbagyi of Gbagyi Chiefdom in Chikun local government area of the state.
Two other suspects who survived the fire inferno were found unconscious after inhaling petroleum products, while their fellow collaborators met their waterloo on the spot.
Sources in the community told journalists who visited the area yesterday that the vandals came with several tools they used in destroying the pipelines and started scooping the products to a waiting truck before the incident happened.
Engr. Anthony Osita Onwuka, the Area Manager, Pipelines and Products, NNPC, said yesterday: “Two of the vandals died on the spot while the other two were rushed to an unknown hospital. It is unfortunate despite series of enlightenment campaign on the dangers of pipeline vandalism.
“We are calling on members of the public to avoid tampering with petrol pipelines and even guard it against vandals by reporting suspects to security operatives for prompt action.
“The public whose houses are close to NNPC pipelines should always observe the 30 metres rule away from the pipelines in the interest of safety.”
