Man Almost Lynched To Death For Stealing Petrol In Edo (See Photo)

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 .