It was a close shave with death on Tuesday at Ilashe off Ilade-Odo area of Atlas Cove, Lagos, when some thugs attached to Topline Security Outfit attempted to hold naval personnel and defence correspondents at gun point.
The thugs were purportedly private security thugs working with Topline Security to protect Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to supposedly supplement the efforts of the navy, who are constitutionally backed to protect such pipeline and oil facilities.
The federal government had in 2014 awarded the contract of securing pipelines belonging to the NNPC to Topline, a private security company and they inturn sublet the contract to the local security who went berserk yesterday.
The operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, had taken some Defence corespondents from different media houses for an on-the-spot assessment of the tonnes of recovered petroleum products at the site.
When the navy got to the scene, hundreds of 25 liters jerrycans were stacked at the centre in five sports utility vehicles (SUV).
However, the thugs, who were obviously very high, challenged the navy to a gun duel, threatening to shoot everyone down and set the recovered products ablaze.
Chanting war songs and puffing into the air, these thugs were brandishing their guns, axes, matchetes and even charms, as they threatened to match the navy weapon for weapon.
For over 45 minutes, they held sway, and when the journalists attempted to leave before the situation becomes bloody, they blocked off the escape routes, brandishing the guns at their faces and threatening to shoot them down.
Of course their threats were not taken lightly by the naval personnel, who quickly took positions by spreading out on the plain grounds.
Save for the coolheaded intervention of the Commander NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Okon Eyo, a blood bath would have been recorded on both sides, with the civilian reporters inclusive.
Although the navy's intention was to take custody of over 3000 jerrycans filled with petroleum products recovered from suspected vandals, the thugs refused.
The products were said to have been siphoned by suspected vandals from NNPC pipelines that runs from Atlas cove, Apapa to Ejigbo and Mosemi depots in Lagos and Ogun State.
When all finally got to the safety of the navy base, the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Okon Eyo, while addresing media on the issue said that the Navy was going to meet with the Management of NNPC to review the terms of engagement it has with Topline Security.
Eyo said that the navy was also going to ascertain if they are allowed to carry guns.
He said; "You all saw what happened at Ilashe, a riverine community that plays host to an important NNPC facility.
"The navy had conducted an aerial operation on Monday during which they sighted over 3000 jerrycans loaded in vehicles.
"With the aerial reconnaissance, the navy decided to move in to ascertain the activities but the end of it was untold provocation.
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