BENIN CITY – A gang of pipeline vandals,who vandalized and burst a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) are currently on the run after been declared wanted by the police, including the driver of the abandoned vehicle that conveyed the pipeline vandals to the scene of the crime.
Addressing the newsmen at the State Police Headquarters in Benin City yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, DSP Abiodun Osifo stated that on August 6, 2015,the police acting on tip off swooped on a three – man gang of pipeline vandals who had already raptured a part of the pipeline in the interior of Ikpoba Hill area and were drilling petrol. The gang engaged the Police in a gun duel and one of the gang members was shot dead. While others escaped including the driver of the vehicle, Igbinigie Kelvin Osayande, that conveyed the gang to the scene of the crime. While the vehicle and gadgets used were abandoned.
The Police PRO said that it was the particulars and the documents in the vehicle that led them to the owner of the vehicle.Mr Victor who later revealed the identity of the driver, Igbinigie Kelvin Osayande.
It was gathered from a source close to the driver that he was chartered as a driver by the gang to the scene of the crime as he is not a criminal.
The source said that the owner of the vehicle, has been harassing and threatening the family of Kelvin to provide his vehicle which is in the custody of the police.
It was also gathered that Mr Victor who gave the vehicle to Kelvin on a balance and carry agreement have threatened to deal with the family of the run away driver if his vehicle is not provided.
While the policemen are on a manhunt for Kelvin, Mr Victor the owner of the vehicle went to the home of Kelvin,they gave his wife the beating of her life when they could not find the husband whose whereabout is still unknown as at the time of writing this report
