TASK FORCE IMPOUNDS 3 TRUCKS OVER ILLEGAL BUNKERING IN EDO

 
BENIN-THE Edo State Task force on Pipeline Protection Committee, weekend, impounded three trucks allegedly used for illegal oil bunkering at Obazagbon NNPC Pipeline axis of Ehor in Uhunwonde Local Government Area.

The task force also accused members of the Petroleum Tankers Drivers, PTD, Benin depot and security agencies of aiding the vandals.

The trucks fully loaded with contents suspected to be black oil were intercepted by men of the taskforce, following a tip-off by field workers on the activities of the vandals in the community.

Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the arrests in Obazagbon, a field worker of the taskforce, Mr. Innocent Okpahahu, said they got information about the activities of the vandals in the community and responded by mobilising their personnel to site.

He said on getting to the scene, they discovered two trucks, allegedly belonging to some members of PTD, Benin Depot with the vandals pumping the oil from the burst pipeline into the waiting trucks.

According to him, while they apprehended the drivers of the trucks, a call was placed to the operatives of the state security outfit tagged 'Operation thunderstorm,' who came to rescue them from the taskforce on the pretence that they were taking them to the police station.

He added that their findings, however, revealed that the suspects were being aided by the security operatives to carry out their nefarious activities, noting that some members of the Petroleum Tankers Union Branch of NUPENG, Benin Depot were involved in the vandalisation of pipelines in the state.