Security Agents allegedly protect Crude Oil Thieves in Edo – Sources

* Police deny allegation

By Kingsley Abavo, Benin

Recent heightened Government worry about continued Crude Oil theft which threatens the well-being of the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria and consequent action has led to the staggering revelations of oil bunkering activities around the Niger-Delta region of the country.

With can of worms being opened as fall out since the Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) owned Tantita security outfit in synergy with Government security operatives launched a bitter war against perpetrators.

Investigations have revealed that Edo State is not left out of the oil theft saga.

According to dependable sources, some illegal bunkers in this destructive criminal activities exist in the State Capital, Benin City.

Allegedly, a woman whose name was given as Itohan Evans a.k.a (Madam IT) was arrested on Friday, 7th October, 2022 alongside her collaborators by security operatives in the Edo State Police command.

But the woman, who was said to be a kingpin, was released almost immediately after she reportedly paid a huge sum of money to a high-ranking Police officer in the Command she was granted bail without due process, it was alleged.

Sources also alleged that the said Madam IT is part of a cartel of Crude Oil thieves; who are specialist in the vandalization of crude oil pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) in Edo State, while their base of operation is around Kilometre 16/17 Benin Sapele road at Ogbakpen and Obayantor axis of the State Capital.

The manager of the said woman, one Chukwuka Sunday who was also apprehended alongside other suspects by security operatives of the Command, admitted to their illicit activities.

Exhibits discovered on their site of operation include: five pumping machines, six trucks loaded with adulterated diesel (AGO), and a fully loaded truck of corrosive acid chemical used for processing of the crude oil.

Chukwuka confirmed that he works for the said Madam IT and the site of operation belongs to her. He also stated that after they finish processing the crude oil which is called phase two, they load their trucks with the processed products and taken out for supply, our source said.

Activities of these crude oil thieves in Edo State has created an environmental disaster around their area of operations, and may likely become worse if not checked by the relevant authorities.

In reaction, the spokesman of the State Police Command, Chidi Nwabuzor in a telephone interview with The9JaTREND, denied having knowledge about any arrest of Mrs. Itohan Evans.

“I am not aware about that. I don’t have knowledge about any arrest of Mrs. Itohan Evans. I can’t speak of what I don’t know; and that is not healthy of giving information to the public.”

Meanwhile, efforts to reach the alleged Mrs. Evans for her reaction as at the time of filing this report weekend, was not successful.