N’Assembly oil theft: Police, DSS begin manhunt

Twenty four hours after six alleged oil thieves who specialize in siphoning diesel from heavy duty generating sets at the annex area of the National Assembly complex were arrested, policemen and officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) attached to the Assembly, have launched a massive manhunt to arrest more people believed to be involved in the unfortunate incident.

A senior police officer who is one of the people coordinating the investigation and search operations, told our correspondent in confidence that the two leading agencies providing security in the Assembly, have been given the go ahead by the leadership of the National Assembly to bring anyone involved in the theft to book.

He said those arrested were already making useful confessions and have indicted more staff, including senior civil servants in the Assembly who allegedly provide cover for the thieves.

“We took the people into custody on Tuesday and we are at the verge of arresting the only person who escaped. We have made progress and when we are done with investigations, the appropriate people will make the details known,” he said.

Read also: Oil thieves arrested at N’Assembly

On Tuesday morning, Policemen attached to the National Assembly, arrested six alleged oil thieves who specialize in siphoning diesel from the heavy duty generating sets at the annex area of the Assembly complex.

The thieves were alleged to have stolen eleven jerry cans of twenty five litres each and were caught at a point of loading inside a Gulf Volkswagen car brought for the purpose by an eagle eyed security on night duty who alerted others and promptly arrested them. One of the oil thieves escaped arrest and was said to be on the run.

Two of the thieves are members of staff of the National Assembly, specifically Sergeant-At-Arms Department. The remaining five were recruited from Tipper Garage, a nearby heavy truck park.

It was also discovered that one of the two members of staff of the National Assembly who led the gang, invited five others from the tipper garage to accompany them on the act and they entered the complex around 4.20 am in the morning of Tuesday.

By Ehisuan Odia…

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