30th May, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
A middle-aged man is currently being detained by operatives of Edo State Police Command for allegedly siphoning diesel from a truck belonging to a beverage company located at Ikpoba Hill, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the State.
It was gathered that the suspect was caught at about 4:00 am on 27 May by a vigilant night guard in the area, who noticed a flow of diesel on the ground close to where the truck was parked.
He allegedly traced the flow to the truck where he found the suspect channelling the petroleum product into waiting jerry cans.
Sighting the night guard, the suspect was said to have fled the scene, but the guard who raised an alarm, later overpowered him after a hot chase.
The alarm raised by the night guard was said to have drawn the attention of residents and traders in the area who descended on the suspect. Timely intervention of policemen from Aduwawa police division however saved him from being lynched and later whisked away.
An eyewitness who does not want his name in print, said the suspect confessed that he belonged to a syndicate specialised in stealing petroleum products from packed trucks in the area.
“He (suspect) confessed that there are other people in the same business with him and that they have stolen more than 1,000 litres before. The truck belongs to one Mr. Imafidon and the guard who caught him said that he has been looking for those boys for sometime now.
“The residents, especially truck drivers, were angry after he demonstrated how he siphons the product. So, they tied him up and put the hoose in his mouth,” the source added.
When contacted, Edo Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Stephen Onwochei, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident. He however added that the matter could have been handled by the Divisional Police Officer, based on the level of the offence.
“I have not been briefed on that. But, obviously, it is a case of stealing which the division can handle,” Onwochei said.